The action at the Great Duck Dash – a novel part of this year’s Killarney St Patrick’s festival – promises to be as keenly contested and fiercely competitive as anything that will be seen in Fitzgerald Stadium or even Croke Park in the weeks and months to come.

To give the determined duck sponsors the time to recover, the big event will take place on Saturday, March 14, three days before the national feast day, and for 45 minutes that day it will be great quack as the owners will their chosen ducks to victory on the River Deenagh.

The flotilla of rubber ducks will be racing down the winding river and hoping to make a splash for a fantastic cause with the event in support of Down Syndrome Kerry.

The public has been invited to sponsor a rubber duck – or two – for the race and super prizes await the fastest ducks. And remember – the more ducks sponsored, the better chance of winning.

Those wishing to support the great event that can’t be there on the day have been assured that the organisers will ensure their ducks are all lined up at the start line and the winners will be contacted after the event.

The race start point is the bridge at the playground off Port Road, almost directly opposite St Mary's Cathedral.

To find out how to sponsor a duck go to https://stpatricksfestivalkillarney.ie.