If so, who?
Since I grew up a Man United fan I loved watching both De Gea and Romero. Both were amazing goalkeepers and I definitely idolised both for their amazing shot stopping abilities.
What do you believe Colin Healy has brought to both life and football at Kerry FC Colin has changed the club in it’s entirety. Everyone has belief in the team that he has built and he is progressing the club both on and off the pitch. We are lucky to have him.
What strengths do you believe Kerry’s new signings can bring to the club as chemistry on the pitch and people off the pitch?
All the new boys are great. They’re very positive and have increased the quality of our squad. They have raised the intensity within training and brought us to another level.
During the 2025 season, Tim Oliver-Heimer was out for a huge majority of the season. In this time you gained a lot of first team experience. How do you believe this helped you and boost your career?
Firstly I’d like to say while Tim was injured he was the person who helped me the most. Always giving me advice and helping me whenever I needed it. I appreciate all that he did for me. In regards to the experience of playing, i loved it and now that i have gone through those 7 games, I now understand what is expected of me in this league and what it takes to perform.
Early in your career you spent some time at the Treaty United Academy. How do you believe they helped you early in your career?
The first year and a half I had at Treaty were amazing. I’m still friends with a lot of my teammates and loved the experience. The goalkeeper coaches I had there were brilliant with me and the improvements I made there and the experiences I had were vital for my development to where I am now.
What do you believe Kerry FC can push for this season?
I believe for us, it’s always about being better and aiming for more. We have improved season on season and I believe we can do more again this season. We shouldn’t be scared of any team going into the season ahead and after that as well.
What do you believe is the best way to motivate your team pre-match and throughout a match?
The best way to motivate anyone is to encourage and guide someone, particularly when they aren’t playing well. My teammates and the coaching staff do that well and there is always constant reminders of each players abilities and how good they should be doing and what they are capable of.
As a goalkeeper you’re role is vital. Describe o me your sort of playing style.
I love getting involved, which I think is more of a modern style. I don’t like letting the game come to me (even if sometimes it’s necessary), I usually like to get on the ball early and get a few touches before anything major happens so that I’m comfortable throughout the game.
What has been a stand-out moment so far in your career?
For me it’s going to be winning the U20 Shield Final against Rovers. Best day of my life, nothing will beat the feeling of the winning goal going in or the final whistle. Being able to win Kerry’s first silverware with so many of my friends is an experience I’m so grateful for.
In years to come, is there a legacy you would like to leave at Kerry FC and Irish football?
It’s a big question as I don’t like looking too far in to the future, in my opinion the short term creates what happens in the long term. But I would like to make an impact while I’m here, whether that’s performing on the field, or inspiring young keepers throughout the county or even if life takes me elsewhere, I would like to bring the skills I learned and am still learning with Kerry with me.
What do you want the Kerry supporters to know at full time?
That their support means everything. They make playing for Kerry so special. Without them this club is nothing. It was nice knowing that they had our backs every time we stepped on the pitch and that they have faith in both us and the coaches.
What do you believe is something football has taught you in life?
That things can change so quickly. When the draw was made for Shamrock Rovers semi-final, I still hadn’t even made my debut yet. But all of a sudden on a Friday night in UCD, I was quickly thrown in for my first game just like that. Things never stay the same whether good or bad.
If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
To just trust the process. When things get bad, don’t get too low when things get too comfortable. It’s a long journey, so every second counts. I’m glad I am where I am, and I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far.

Last week, the Killarney Valley Athletic Club (KVAC) announced their 2026 race ambassador: Canadian Paralympian Maddie Wilson-Walker. Maddie, who lives and trains in Killarney with KVAC, embodies extraordinary resilience. At the age of three, she contracted meningitis, which led to the loss of both legs below the knee, several fingers on her left hand, and hearing loss in her left ear.

Race volunter Natalia Krasnenkova caught up with her at the race’s starting point Killarney House and Gardens to discuss the event and her journey.”
Today, as a world-class double-amputee athlete, she serves as an inspiration to people of all fitness levels across the community. Maddie is currently preparing to take on the five-mile course alongside all the other participants.
Maddie, you’ve become an integral part of the Killarney Valley Athletic Club since moving here from Canada four years ago. How does it feel to become an official ambassador for the Streets of Killarney race, why is it important to you?

It’s an honour to be the official ambassador for the Streets of Killarney 5 miles’ race! As an athlete with disability it’s so important to have some disability representation in event like this. To show other athletes or people with disabilities that you can achieve anything despite various circumstances.

Your journey and from surviving meningitis as a toddler to competing on the world stage as a Paralympia and is the definition of resilience. For someone in Killarney or Kerry who is looking at the 5-mile distance and thinking, ‘I can’t do that,’ what would you say to help them take that first step toward the starting line?
Never say can’t. That’s my life motto. Just try, starting will always be the hardest part but just because you might surprise yourself!

As a high-performance athlete by Killarney Valley AC, you spend a lot of time on the track. How does the experience of a road race like ‘Streets of Killarney’ differ from your professional competitions, and what are you most looking forward to about the atmosphere on Good Friday night?
I come from a long jump and sprint background on the track so a road race is very different for me. It’s very much out of my comfort zone but I love a challenge! I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere that the event has to offer and seeing people around the town supporting the runners and getting to run alongside some teammates and just have a really fun time with the race.
You are a powerful advocate for adaptive sports. How important are local events like this in showing that running and athletics are for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, and how does Killarney Valley AC foster that inclusive environment?

I think it’s important to show that athletics is for everyone because growing up I didn’t know anybody who had a disability that looked like mine that was involved in sport until I was already into my track career. Having someone you can look up to and think “if they can do that then so can I” is something a lot of people with disability could really benefit from especially if they are nervous about starting a sport. Killarney Valley AC has been absolutely amazing when it comes to disability inclusivity. If I ever needed any adaptation made to a workout, then they were made. I was never treated differently from the other athletes which it what I like. At the end of the day we are all athletes, I just happen to look different because I’m missing both my legs.

The race is already one-third sold out, and the excitement is building. As the ambassador, what is your ‘pro-tip’ for the participants who have just signed up and are starting their training program?
Have fun! It’s great to take your training seriously but to also have fun with it. This is going to be a big event for the community and I can’t wait for it!
We can’t let you go without mentioning the wonderful news of your engagement to Jordan Lee! You are both such high-profile athletes and inspirations within the Killarney Valley AC. How does it feel to share your journey and both the training grind and your personal lives and with someone who understands the elite sporting world as well as Jordan does? And can we expect to see a ‘Paralympic Power Couple’ appearance at the finish line on Good Friday?
It’s amazing having someone to share this journey with like Jordan, we both have disabilities so we both understand some of the struggles we face but we also both see what we’re capable of. We’re each other’s built in cheerleaders so you will definitely be seeing him at points in the race cheering me and the rest of Killarney Valley on!