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Glenflesk duo ring in New Year on top of the world

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TWO Killarney pals were literally on top of the world as they got set to ring in the New Year.

Niall Dennehy and Pat Sheehan reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro early yesterday, New Year's Eve, a day ahead of their schedule.

And as they scaled Africa's highest mountain, the dynamic duo showed what a difference a year can make.

In October 2016, Niall was just about able to walk one lap around Barraduff Community Field.

Turning his life around, Niall has shed an inspirational 10 stone in weight and boosted his wellbeing and fitness over the past 12 months.

He has accomplished all of this with the help of his friend and fellow Glenflesk native Pat Sheehan, a health and fitness instructor.

Niall, a farmer, began his exercise regime by walking around the local community field but as his fitness rapidly improved he set more and more goals. “Farming had taken over my life but gradually I started to learn to prioritise my health and fitness,” said Niall.

Pat, who runs Pat Sheehan Health and Fitness wellness centre at Club Vitae Leisure Centre, Hotel Killarney, and another weightloss centre in The Loft Fitness Studio in Millstreet, was well placed to give Niall advice.

On St Stephen's Day when many will have been relaxing by the fire, Niall and Pat arrived in Moshi town in Tanzania ahead of commencing their strenuous five-day trek.

And together with their guide Fredy Tarimo in an expedition organised by Venture 2 Adventures, on Sunday morning, they scaled the summit of a peak that is six times higher than Niall and Pat's "training slope", Carrantuohill. "We made our way onto Uhuru Peak, 5895m, the Roof of Africa, at 10.30am. We posed for photos with the Kerry GAA and the Munster Rugby flags," said Niall. "I placed a stone from my farm which was inscribed with the names of my nephews and nieces on the summit."

Niall and Pat are raising money for the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association through the climb and paid for the trip themselves.

In addition, money raised from an annual pool tournament in memory of Niall’s brother, Denis, will also be donated to the cause.

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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