Colm Cooper launches nationwide GAA competition

GAA clubs across the country have been given the opportunity to win a training session with Dr Crokes and Kerry football legend Colm “Gooch” Cooper as part of a new nationwide competition.

The “Train Like A Legend, Support Your Club” initiative was launched to mark the 40th anniversary of Solgar in Ireland. Solgar, a provider of nutritional supplements, is the official vitamin partner of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).
The winning club will secure a training session led by the former Kerry forward, alongside €5,000 worth of funding to be used for sports kit or club facility refurbishments.
The competition aims to provide amateur clubs with access to high-level coaching insights while delivering financial support for local infrastructure upgrades. Entries are open to all GAA clubs nationwide, offering local panels an opportunity to secure vital funding and resources for their grounds.

Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone present €20,500 to national association

Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone recently presented a cheque for €20,500 to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) at the Plaza Hotel.

The funds represent the total raised over the past 12 months through various local initiatives. These included contributions from the Tralee Lions Club, Ballybunion Lady Captain’s Day, the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, a Killarney darts competition, the annual Killarney Flag Day collection, and numerous individual donations.
Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone Chairman, Christy Lehane, welcomed the IMNDA delegation, which included CEO Kevin Burn, Head of Communications Fiona Thornton, Community and Operations Manager Tracy Hutchin, and Hub Project Worker Manika Nia Dixon.
During the meeting, the IMNDA representatives outlined the operational challenges they face. The association requires €2.75 million annually to provide services across the 26 counties, with 90% of that budget now dependent entirely on public fundraising.
CEO Kevin Burn stated that fundraising contributions are a lifeline for the community, directly funding specialised equipment and home care hours. The association currently employs seven nurses who travel nationwide to support sufferers and their families. There are currently more than 470 people living with MND in Ireland, including 20 individuals in County Kerry.
Fiona Thornton, Head of Communications at the IMNDA, expressed gratitude to the Kerry group for their ongoing commitment, noting that the funds directly support essential services, including specialist nursing care, equipment provision, and emotional support for families.
Christy Lehane thanked the Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone committee and the general public for their continued support since the group was formed in 2011, noting the increasing difficulty of fundraising in a highly competitive environment. He described the fact that 90% of the national service’s budget relies on charity as a challenging and unacceptable situation that has yet to be properly addressed by state authorities.