Rising football star Luke Doolan talks life at Kerry FC

This week, our Transition Year student Luke Mangan caught up with one of Kerry FC’s young talents, Luke Doolan. The pair discussed Doolan’s journey in football so far, including his early days with Killarney Athletic to now playing for Kerry FC.

When you were growing up, who was your football or soccer idol, and why?

Messi, because he’s the greatest player to play the game.

Who was your childhood hero?

I’d say my father. He helped me a lot throughout my career.

If you weren’t a footballer, what would your dream career be?

I wanted to be an astronaut. I wanted to go to space, but somehow, I don’t think that’ll happen now.

What does it feel like to be part of a great team with good support every week?

It’s great. The support every week is brilliant. We work hard; the training is very good. We play well every week for a very good club.

What’s it like to have been with your local club, Killarney Athletic, to now being with the green of Kerry?

Killarney Athletic were very good to me. When I was starting off coaches like JP Mullins were fantastic. Then when I went into the seniors, it was great to have Brendan Moloney and Joe Hurley, who both have a lot of experience.

In a county known for GAA, how does it feel to be such an icon for Kerry soccer?

It feels good. Obviously, Kerry has a big association with the GAA and Kerry FC is new. Soccer is gaining more momentum in the county, which is great to see.

Do you ever see yourself playing in a football game like FIFA sometime?

Yeah, it would be cool to be honest because I play it at home. So yeah, it would be nice to see myself in the game sometime.

Tell me more about your time with Athletic.

I played with great players when I was young, those in my Athletics team and the youths’ team. We had some great players there, some of the best in the county. It’s a great team with fantastic coaches involved. Then with my move to Kerry FC, obviously you have Colin [Healy], Conor [McCarthy], Chris [Collopy]. Brilliant coaches who really help me to push my game and get further in my career.

How did it feel to finally get your first minutes for Kerry?

Nerve-wracking but glad to finally get onto the pitch. It took me a while but I’m glad to get minutes. I’ve only been there for a few months now and I’m just grateful to be involved in the squad and to get some minutes in.

You mentioned Brendan Moloney. How did it feel being coached by him?

He’s class to be fair. He had some bad injuries which knocked him back in his career. Obviously, he is still a class player. He came back to Athletic, his home club, and he’s still there now. Great for the club and great for the team to keep going on with their history and what they do, so yeah, he’s a great coach.

Luke Doolan will be travelling with the Kingdom when they go to Dublin at the weekend ahead of their FAI cup semi-final clash with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday at 6pm.

15 new glamping pods will arrive at Killarney Racecourse by April 2026. Five of those units are set to open by the end of this year. Locals Linda and Mike O’Sullivan founded Killarney Glamping in 2012, and it has grown from strength to strength ever since. Their first site, located in Ballycasheen, is called Glamping at the Grove, and received a Failte Ireland 4-star rating in 2024 and 2025. The expansion of their businesses will see their employees rise from 7 to 12. The pods will be fully self-contained and spacious with luxury bathrooms, king size beds, sitting areas and kitchenettes. Each pod has been built in Killarney by local tradespeople and materials are sustainable and locally sourced. Guests can walk or cycle to Killarney town centre in under ten minutes or explore the National Park by bike. Linda O’Sullivan, owner of Killarney Glamping, described the site as luxurious yet sustainable. She said: “People want an experience that feels special and delivers all the comforts they love, and this new site captures that spirit right in the heart of Ireland’s leading tourist destination.”