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Galway v Kerry Preview: Kingdom to lay some ghosts to rest?

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Listen to an interview with any Kerry player over the past few months and the infamous ‘Galway game’ is sure to crop up.

The disastrous encounter in Croke Park last July was unquestionably the low point of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s final year in charge and the result and performance left Kerry stunned.

There was ample time to bounce back but the team never fully recovered from the shock, and neither did the manager.

It was surely the lowest point Kerry football had experienced in a number of years; the defeat ultimately meant that The Kingdom were dumped out of the championship before the semi-final stage for the first time since 2012.

Now, just seven months later, the outlook is infinitely brighter. After an encouraging start under new manager Peter Keane, there’s a degree of optimism about this team that hasn’t been felt in many years. If Kerry can make it four from four by defeating Galway (and laying some ghosts to rest in the process), they could well find themselves quite lonesome at the top of Division 1 come Sunday at around half past three.

Keane has stuck with the same back seven for his opening three games but the absence of Brian Ó Beaglaoich (suspended) will open the door for a new defender for the first time this season. Jason Foley (pictured) is back to full fitness and may be called upon to deputise, while Mark Griffin and Gavin Crowley, both of whom made an appearance in the Dublin game, are also in contention.

At midfield, David Moran will be hoping to earn his first start of the year with either Adrian Spillane or Diarmuid O’Connor likely to stand aside should the Rahilly’s veteran get the nod.

Keane will probably stick with Dara Moynihan, Seán O’Shea and Gavin O’Brien in the half forward line after all three performed admirably in their last outing, and with David Clifford and James O’Donoghue still a couple of weeks away from full fitness, Paul Geaney and Stephen O’Brien are expected to continue in the full forward line.

Kevin McCarthy is back training with Kerry following Kilcummin’s successful All-Ireland Intermediate Club campaign and the dynamic forward adds depth to an already strong-looking squad.

Kerry will naturally be without the services of Dr Crokes players Shane Murphy, Gavin White, Micheál Burns, David Shaw and Michael Potts, while Galway will also have to make do without Corofin stars Ian Burke, Liam Silke, Kieran Molloy, Dylan Wall and Bernard Power. Crokes face Corofin in the All-Ireland Senior Cub final on St Patrick’s Day.

There was some bad news for Galway manager Kevin Walsh this week as talismanic captain Damien Comer confirmed that he’ll be facing an extended period on the sidelines. The burly Annaghdown forward is due to undergo surgery on his ankle and is expected to be out of action for up to three months.

That would rule Comer out for the remainder of the league and also make him a doubt for Galway’s opening two games of the Connacht Championship, which kicks off on May 5.

Pic: Sportsfile.

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Carols by Candlelight

    St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas […]

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St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas 2023, December17, at 7.00pm. Admission is free.

Ten Choirs from Killarney parish will join together and sing some of the world’s most beloved Christmas carols.
The carol service is directed by accomplished Musician and Choral Director, Paula Gleeson. Originally from Cork, her family have been involved in all aspects of choral and church music for 50 years.

“This is the best experience as director, working with Fr. Kieran O’Brien, and St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir, I get to work with so many talented people in Killarney. The commitment of Teachers, Principals, and the hundreds of students from the Primary and Secondary Schools is inspiring. The generosity of our sponsors, who were so willing to contribute has helped to make this night a reality. We are all so truly grateful,” she said.

Choirs include:
St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish Choir, organist Anita Lakner
Holy Cross Mercy School Choir
St. Oliver’s Primary School Choir
St. Brigid’s Secondary School Choir
St. Brendan’s Secondary School Choir
Killarney Harmonisers
Killarney Community College School Choir
Lissivigeen National School Choir
Gaelscoil Faithleann School Choir
Presentation Monastery School Choir

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The same but different – A tribute to three great Irish musicians

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Driving home from work last Friday, tributes for Shane McGowan were pouring out across the radio stations and while listening in, I got a strong sense of déjà vu.

It was only a few months earlier that we got the sad news that the talented Aslan front man Christy Dingham had passed away, and a short few weeks after that – Sinéad O’Connor.  The loss of three iconic Irish musicians that left music fans across the country reeling.

When I think about each artist individually, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Yet, for days after the passing of the Pogues frontman, I found myself wondering why I was so drawn to all three.

And then, over the weekend I stumbled across a completely unrelated article which led with a headline:

“In a year dominated by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and disingenuity, “authentic” has somehow emerged as Merriam-Webster’s word for 2023.”

And there was my answer. The one characteristic that embodied all three of these great Irish musicians.

It was my mother that first introduced me to Aslan’s music. She grew up during their peak and loved all sorts of rock music. I regularly watch their Vicar Street performances back on YouTube and still get mesmerised by Christy’s intense stage presence. Using elaborate hand gestures to evoke a greater meaning behind the words, he always looked like he was away in his own world. Off stage, and particularly later in his career, I admired him for his honesty when talking about his struggles with addiction and mental health. He was talking openly about these issues long before it was the norm.

Sinéad O’Connor was another original soul who, because of her talent, was catapulted into a music industry consumed by artificiality; she was almost too pure for it all. I always admired her unwavering commitment to her beliefs. Her authenticity was evident in every aspect of her artistry. The way she unapologetically embraced her shaved head and boy-ish style, she challenged conventional opinions around beauty. Her music reflected her personal struggles and she never shied away from addressing issues of social injustice, religion, and gender equality. Her stances often drew criticism and controversy, but she always remained true to herself.

Shane MacGowan will always be remembered for his unfiltered nature, and while the lyrics of many songs were dark and gritty, there was also an element of empathy and compassion in what he wrote. Like Christy, he too struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his career. While his demons sometimes spilled over into the public eye, his honesty and vulnerability just endeared him even more to us Irish.

So isn’t it apt in a year we lost three great musicians, the word of 2023 happens to be the one undeniable trait that they all shared. Thank you Christy, Sinead and Shane for showing us that authenticity is not just about being different to everyone else; but also about possessing the courage to challenge the established, to question the norms, and to keep going, even when the going gets tough.

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