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Father and son’s double act in Croke Park!

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By Michelle Crean

It was a historic occasion when a local music maestro and his son not only played football but also music in Croke Park.

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Liam O'Connor and his son Oisín enjoyed a kick about together at the home of GAA as part of a 'Warriors for Humanity' charity game for Self-Help Africa.

They later played at the after-match celebratory banquet in the Hogan Stand Event Centre that night - probably making history as the first father and son duo to play both in Croke Park on the same day!

O’Connor’s sporting credentials have been well-established too. He won two Cork county senior championship football medals with Duhallow.

Liam, an internationally-acclaimed accordion player, recently played at Electric Picnic.

Tomorrow (Thursday) he and his band will join the Celtic Tenors to entertain the sell-out crowd at the much-anticipated rugby clash between Munster and world champions South Africa.

The Irish maestro has brought his dynamic accordion-playing to other sporting occasions, including two Ryder Cup golf tournaments, seven All-Ireland Final appearances in Croke Park and recently made a superb contribution playing alongside the Artane Band on the RTÉ All-Ireland programme 'Up For The Match'.

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And, not one to sit still, Liam's next plan is to bring legendary hurling manager Brian Cody as the guest speaker for the annual Liam O’Connor Show at St Brendan’s College, Killarney on Thursday, December 1 at 8pm.

Cody is regarded as the greatest hurling manager of all time, having steered the senior Kilkenny team for 25 years, becoming the county's longest-serving manager and the most successful in terms of the number of major titles won. In all, during his extraordinary reign that ended with his retirement this year, Kilkenny won 43 major honours, including 11 Senior All-Irelands.

Also appearing on what promises to be a momentous night will be the St Brendan’s College Choir and Music Group, and O’Connor’s own family band featuring Saoirse on vocals, concertina and keyboards, Oisín, who plays guitars, keyboards and percussion, and Cillian on drums.

“This is my ninth year as part of the show which has now become one of the annual highlights in my schedule of gigs," Laim told the Killarney Advertiser.

"To have such an inspirational figure as Brian Cody along to share his wisdom about sport and life is truly an honour for us all. It’ll be a great way to end what has been a busy and exciting year for me.”

St Brendan’s College has a fine reputation on the music front, not least because of the skills of two remarkably dedicated music teachers in Niamh O’Connell, Mish O’Donoghue and Principal Seán Coffey whose leadership is the key to creating an amazing synergy, Liam, who lends his musical dexterity to the college on a regular basis, added.

"Of course the students are amazing in St Brendan’s. The chapel concert is a very happy place with all the great music."

Tickets for the St Brendan’s College concert are available from ticketstop.ie.

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Newstalk Summer Tour arrives in Killarney

Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town. On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with […]

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Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town.

On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman will be live from the Café du Parc in the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, kicking off at 7 am.
Ciara and Shane are scheduled to speak with local Kerry figures and take a trip on Killarney’s jaunting cars to see the sights.
Kelly said: “I am so excited to head to Killarney. I have had some fantastic memories as a child visiting Kerry and can’t wait to go back for Newstalk’s Summer tour!”
Coleman added: “Kerry is a wonderful place to visit and I am looking forward to seeing its natural beauty, vibrant culture and rich history.”
The week-long tour is taking the full Newstalk experience to towns across Ireland, featuring live shows, special guests, and conversation.

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Ring of Kerry Cycle to honour founder Paddy O’Donoghue

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This year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, scheduled for July 5, will be run in memory of Paddy O’Donoghue, a founding member of the event.

Mr O’Donoghue, aged 81, from Muckross, passed away following a road collision in Kilgarvan on Tuesday, this week.

Paddy was a retired Kerry County Council engineer, affectionately known as ‘Paddy the Engineer’.

He was a driving force behind the annual charity cycle since its inception in 1982, regularly participating and fundraising for various causes. Beyond his cycling contributions, the Glenflesk native was also a notable footballer, having been part of the East Kerry team that secured the first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1971.

Cathal Walshe, PRO of the Ring of Kerry Cycle said: “On behalf of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle I wish to extend sincere sympathy to Brenda and the O’Donoghue family on the sad and sudden loss of Paddy.

“He was a fantastic supporter of the annual charity cycle since it’s inception back in the 80s. A regular participant and wonderful fundraiser for whatever charity he chose. Paddy loved a challenge in whatever he undertook and was the epitome of what the event was all about. We miss the banter and craic but he won’t ever be forgotten. This year’s event will be dedicated to his memory on July the 5th. His likes will never be seen again. Slan Abhaile our friend.”

Tributes have been paid to Mr O’Donoghue, including from his local Glenflesk GAA club, who stated, “Glenflesk GAA would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Paddy O’Donoghue on his sad passing. He was a true Glenflesk stalwart as a player, mentor and lifelong supporter.”

Paddy is survived by his wife Brenda, children Florence, Áine, Denise, Brenda, Báirbre, Patrick, and Alice, 17 grandchildren, his brother John, sisters Margaret, Kathleen, and Anna, and a wide circle of relatives and friends.

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