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Black Valley girl set for the big leagues

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Adam Moynihan speaks to teen sensation Hannah O’Donoghue about her big move to Cork City

Talented local sports star Hannah O’Donoghue has been snapped up by Women’s National League side Cork City and has immediately set her sights on breaking into the first team.

O’Donoghue, who also plays football for Kerry, has been training with the Cork club for the past few months and put pen to paper when the team visited Killarney for a pre-season training trip.

A huge crowd turned out at Celtic Park on Saturday as the Black Valley native was officially unveiled as a Cork City player, while supporters were also treated to a keenly contested friendly between the reigning Women’s FAI Cup holders and Celtic’s U-16/17 boys.

Speaking to the Advertiser during the week, Hannah, who is still just 17, was full of praise for her coaches and mentors at Celtic.

“They’ve been great,” she said. “Donal O’Doherty managed us and we got very close in the National Cup a few years, and Caroline Kissane was very good to me as well. Ramona Keogh basically sorted me out with Cork. She was like a bit of an agent. I have to thank Premier Autoparts as well who are kindly sponsoring me.”

The prodigious young athlete said training so far has been “enjoyable” - although it took some time to find her feet at the beginning.

“It’s very high intensity. All the drills are done at speed and there’s a lot of possession involved. At the start I was a bit rusty because I hadn’t played soccer in a while. It took a while to sort my touch out but it kinda got a bit easier after a few trainings.”

As well her commitments with Cork City, the Kerry seniors and the Kerry minors (for whom she scored a ridiculous 3-6 on Sunday), the Beaufort player is also currently studying for her Leaving Cert. Hannah certainly has plenty on her plate and she admitted that it is “kind of hard to juggle everything”.

She’s keen to make her mark in Cork, however, and take advantage of this great opportunity.

“It’s the highest standard in Ireland,” she continued. “I just want to keep on improving and hopefully get a bit of game time. But once I keep getting better each week I’ll be happy enough.”

And how will the proud Kerrywoman feel about representing the Leesiders? “I never really thought I’d play for Cork,” she confessed. “It’ll probably take a while to get used to!”

Cork City begin their 2018 Women’s National League campaign away to Galway on Sunday, March 11.

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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