News
“I didn’t feel like I had much more to give”

By Michelle Crean
Just over 24 hours into the week from hell, champion jockey Oisin Murphy hit his final hurdle and called it quits.
The Ballyhar man said that he gave it everything he could during Episode Two of RTÉ's Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week - The Professionals on Wednesday night.
He explained that in that moment when he handed over his Number 8 armband that he couldn't go on as the recruits were relentlessly pushed to their absolute physical limits with back-to-back events.
"I had given 100 percent in reality," Oisin told the Killarney Advertiser this week. "Watching it I wished maybe I could have stayed in a bit longer but at that moment I didn't feel like I had much more to give."
Oisin was one of the 19 remaining recruits, surviving on just two hour's sleep, who were subjected to a second day of physically challenging conditions. Not only did he have to complete a punishment by crawling on his stomach in the grass, it included him jumping out of a helicopter straight into the sea, a range of tough exercises including wearing a gas mask restricting their oxygen while lifting heavy weights up a steep flight of stairs, and just when they thought they'd get a rest the DS decided on another harsh task - wearing goggles filled with sea water while carrying even more weights.
On the show the 27-year-old admitted that that in particular was triggering as he had almost drowned as a child and had to be resuscitated.
"I found wearing the mask filled with sea water pretty hard work. I wasn't enjoying that part of it and fair play to every one who got through it particularly the people who wouldn't be very physically strong. It was very testing."
Three Kerry recruits remain including former Ireland women's rugby team captain Ciara Griffin from Ballymac, social media influencer Tadhg Fleming from Tralee and fitness expert Rebeccah O’Rourke.
News
Last chance to enter Spa GAA’s fundraising draw
By Sean Moriarty There is just less than one week left to enter Spa GAA’s fundraising raffle. The ‘Cairde Spa’ draw takes place on Thursday night (February 2) the Spa’s […]

By Sean Moriarty
There is just less than one week left to enter Spa GAA’s fundraising raffle.
The ‘Cairde Spa’ draw takes place on Thursday night (February 2) the Spa’s clubhouse at 7pm.
Funds raised will go towards the upgrade and development works planned over the next few years.
Guest of honour on the night is national GAA president Larry McCarthy and the Sam Maguire Cup will make an appearance too.
“Apart from ongoing and essential maintenance work, the club has a number of development projects in the pipeline. The money is being raised towards improving our grounds to provide top class facilities that can be used year-round, including car parking, perimeter fencing for pitches, ladies and juveniles dressing rooms, outdoor skills wall, player dug outs for senior and juvenile pitches, safety enhancements and lighting on the walking track, landscaping, scoreboard, viewing gallery to the sports hall, alignment of entrance to the grounds and a remembrance garden,” said Michael Cronin, Club Chairman.
“We are calling on everyone to get behind the fundraiser. Our vision is to provide top class grounds and facilities where everyone is welcome to use and participate fully in our activities, games and culture. In order to achieve this vision, we are setting out exciting new developments and investments in our facilities – and we need your support.”
There are 10 prizes up for grabs: 1st Prize: €15,000, 2nd Prize: €3,000, 3rd Prize: €2,000, 4th Prize: €1,000, 5th Prize: Two nights dinner and B&B at the Killarney Park Hotel, 6th Prize: €500 Voucher for Killarney Carpets & Furniture, 7th Prize: €300 Voucher for O’Sullivan’s Cycles, 8th Prize: €250 Voucher for Killarney Oils, 9th Prize: €150 Voucher for Killarney Hardware and 10th Prize: A signed Kerry jersey.
Tickets are €100 each and can be collected/returned at the clubhouse this Saturday (10.30am-12noon), Monday (7-8pm) or Wednesday (7-8pm), and tickets are also available online on spagaa.com.
Any queries contact Andy (087 2236754), Michael (085 8213027), Assumpta (087 6779292) or Deirdre (085 1216359) or any Club Officers.
News
Marian Players excited to get back on stage
By Michelle Crean With a cast of over 50 it’s no small undertaking – but that won’t deter one panto group who are only too happy to get back on […]

By Michelle Crean
With a cast of over 50 it’s no small undertaking – but that won’t deter one panto group who are only too happy to get back on stage this weekend.
It’s been two years since they staged a show due to COVID but the Marian Players Rathmore are rearing to go tomorrow night (Saturday) with their hilarious show ‘Dame Annie Goes West’.
A medley of comedy and colour, combined with music and dance, locals from both sides of the border have been working together to make it a great production.
“We’re very excited, we can’t wait! It’s great to be back,” Mary Hickey told the Killarney Advertiser.
“They [the cast] got together in October and they’re at it since.”
Val Moynihan is the “genius behind it”, she added, and it’s produced by her son Brian Hickey, and co-written with Eilish Coakley.
She said that they have loads working in the background also doing the stage curtains, lighting and making costumes amongst other tasks.
“It’s a pantomime without the pantomime in the background! It’s a whole community effort both sides of the border.”
Evening shows start at 7.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) and again Sunday (January 29) at 3pm.
Mid-week shows continue on Wednesday next (February 1) at 7.30pm, Thursday (February 2) at 7.30pm and also Saturday (February 4) at 7.30pm and Sunday (February 5) at 3pm.
The booking office (085 2031730) will be open every day from 2pm to 6pm to reserve seats and collect tickets and is located adjacent to the community centre, next to Christy’s Take Away.
Seats may be reserved over the phone too and paid for using a bank card. All proceeds are going to Kerry Parents & Friends Association.
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