Connect with us

News

Lakers need to snap cold streak

Published

on

National League: Division 1
Scotts Lakers v Bad Bob’s Tolka Rovers
Saturday at 7.30pm
Killarney Sports Centre

 

The Lakers host the dubiously named Bad Bob’s Tolka Rovers on Saturday night and with just three games remaining in the regular season, Cormac O’Donoghue’s side will be more than a little anxious to get back to winning ways.

After an extended period of dominance that saw them win 11 games out of 12, the Lakers came up short against the Dublin Lions and DBS Éanna in recent weeks and a third consecutive defeat this weekend would be major blow. The Lions and Éanna are two of the strongest teams in the division but players and management know that this is the wrong time of the year to get into a losing habit.

The major concern for the Lakers at the minute is the lack of bodies at their disposal. Coach Cormac O’Donoghue has been relying on just seven or eight players in recent weeks which means that his key players have been playing additional minutes. It has been a long season so O’Donoghue would no doubt prefer to rest players where appropriate but it appears as though his hands are tied at this juncture.

There doesn’t appear to be a quick fix for the Lakers as the players who have dropped out appear unlikely to return in the near future. If guys have other commitments with work etc. that’s fair enough but you have to wonder how you can start with a squad of 13 or 14, win a bunch of games to put yourself in contention, and then end up losing five or six players halfway through the campaign.

Whatever the reasons behind it, the club will surely need to do a better job of holding onto their players moving forward.

Tomorrow night’s opponents are currently fourth in the north so it’s looking like the playoffs are just out of reach, but the Dubliners are sure to provide another tricky test for the home team.

Former Lehigh forward Justin Goldsborough (pictured) and Ukrainian Alex Dolenko will require special attention if the Lakers are to prevail.

Pic: Eamonn Keogh

Advertisement

News

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 […]

Published

on

0269131_St_Olivers___Sem_Trad.jpg

 

 

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

Continue Reading

News

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

Published

on

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.

Attachments

  • 14 (329 kB)
Continue Reading

Last News

Sport