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Relegation battle has town divided

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4 years ago

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RIVALS: There is a lot at stake next Sunday (December 5) when Legion and Crokes face each other in a relegation play-off.

By Sean Moriarty

This is bigger than the county final itself - with the main prize on offer being bragging rights in the town.

After an unprecedented run of events during this year’s Kerry Senior Football championship Killarney's two biggest clubs, Dr Crokes and Killarney Legion are set to face off in a relegation battle that is sure to divide the town.

In sporting terms, the outcome of the big game, set for December 5, is simple enough. The winner stays in the Senior Championship next season and the losers will have to play in the Intermediate Championship.

Fans of the black and amber or the green and white face an anxious week. Winning the county title is one thing – consigning your cross town rivals to second division football in football is altogether a bigger prize.

Senior officials from both clubs are being very guarded on a potential outcome as both sides know the significance of this play off.

“It is a pity that two Killarney clubs, with a long tradition of playing football in the top tier, find themselves in the position of having to play off to avoid relegation,” Matt O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Dr Crokes, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"Both teams will fight tooth and nail to stay in the senior ranks. I am confident that on Sunday week our lads will do themselves and the club proud, as always, and give their all in the quest to keep the black and amber to the fore.”

Crokes are based off the Lewis Road with Legion a short distance away on the other side of the bypass.

“Everyone has an opinion on this,” Legion PRO, Elaine O’Donoghue, told the Killarney Advertiser. “Both sides will be nervous – may the best team win. There are a lot of questions, are the Crokes suffering after defeat to Kerins O’Rahillys [in the semi-final]? Are our lads suffering after losing to St Brendan’s for the third year in a row?”

Every football fan will be keeping a close eye on next weekend’s Intermediate County Final too which takes place on December 4.

The winners of the match between Beaufort and Tralee side Na Gael will be automatically promoted to replace the losers of the Killarney play-off in the Senior Championship next season.

Should Beaufort prevail, a (relatively) local team could replace a town team in the top flight.

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Cahill seeks funding assurance for Innovation Centre

Kerry TD Michael Cahill says he is pushing to ensure the Killarney Innovation Centre secures the funding it needs for its planned expansion. Deputy Cahill raised the issue in a […]

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14 hours ago

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1 December 2025

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Kerry TD Michael Cahill says he is pushing to ensure the Killarney Innovation Centre secures the funding it needs for its planned expansion.

Deputy Cahill raised the issue in a recent Parliamentary Question to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke. The centre has applied to the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme under Enterprise Ireland to support future projects.
Minister Burke told Deputy Cahill that the centre’s application will receive “appropriate consideration” and confirmed that Enterprise Ireland will assist the organisation in shaping proposals that match the aims of the scheme.
Deputy Cahill said the support would give the Killarney Innovation Centre “a first run to the ball” in identifying suitable projects that can attract national funding. He added that the centre has received strong Government backing for more than 30 years.
The Minister also noted that three other Kerry projects are progressing under the same national scheme, including a €1 million allocation for the AI Navigator Programme at the RDI Hub in Killorglin, which is designed to help small businesses adapt to artificial intelligence.

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Focus Ireland submits planning application for 67 apartments

Focus Housing Association CLG, the housing arm of Focus Ireland,has submitted an application to Kerry County Council for amendments to its previously approved 67-unit residential development at Woodlands Industrial Estate, […]

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14 hours ago

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1 December 2025

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Focus Housing Association CLG, the housing arm of Focus Ireland,has submitted an application to Kerry County Council for amendments to its previously approved 67-unit residential development at Woodlands Industrial Estate, Killarney Bypass Road.

The original permission was granted under Kerry County Council reference 21/205.
The new application, maintains the total number of residential units at 67, but outlines several significant internal and external reconfigurations. The overall height and number of storeys for the development will remain unchanged from the scheme initially permitted.
The proposed modifications include a reconfiguration of the basement to incorporate water and attenuation tanks, a lift pit, and an ESB substation. Changes are also outlined for the ground floor, with modifications to the bicycle parking area, which will increase the total number of spaces to 136, and alterations to the bin area.
The plans detail a reduction in car parking spaces from the originally approved 80 down to 74, which will still include four accessible spaces. A substantial decrease is also proposed for the communal open space, which will drop from 719 square metres to 375 square metres due to the removal of a planned roof terrace.
Internal layouts and circulation routes on each floor will be altered, with the final unit mix proposed as 33 one-bedroom and 34 two-bedroom apartments. The changes will result in an increase in the total gross floor area of approximately 871.5 square metres.
Focus Housing Association is seeking permission for the temporary removal and subsequent rebuilding of an existing retaining wall adjacent to the N22 Bypass Road. The wall will be rebuilt to match its existing height and material finish.

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