Killarney Celtic set for €50,000 Erasmus+ exchange in Spain

Reigning Kerry champions Killarney Celtic FC are preparing to swap the Kingdom for Valencia this Easter as part of a major Erasmus+ Youth Mobility project.

A contingent of 30 players, coaches, and adults will travel to Spain for a week-long programme of social, physical, and cultural activities.
This marks the second time the club has secured funding through the National Agency Léargas, following a successful exchange to Italy in 2025. This year’s partnership was forged through the family of Nando Dominguez, a Spanish student who previously spent a year in Killarney as a beneficiary of the club’s youth programme.
The €50,000 project will see players from six Celtic teams, ranging from under-14 to under-17 levels, collaborate with Maristas College and local soccer club CFB Ciutat de Valencia.
“We are extremely grateful to Léargas for the training and opportunities they provided to our club to apply for this funding strand and make this exchange a really exciting prospect,” said Celtic chairman, Philip O’Callaghan.
Project manager and coach Davide Mosca, who led months of digital preparation with Spanish coordinator Fernando Torran, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative.
“The project represents a great opportunity for our young people to have life-enhancing experiences and to grow. Erasmus+ is a great programme and great credit is due to people like our local MEP Seán Kelly, who saw that it had potential beyond formal education,” said Davide.
“Although the application process can seem difficult, the training and support we got from Léargas was of huge value in building a funded project and we appreciate their assistance and encouragement,” he added.

SERVICE IN KOSOVO: Killarney natives Lt Col Ian Harrington and Capt Shane O’Neill are currently deployed with the Irish Defence Forces as part of the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo. Lt Col Harrington, from Loughguitane, and Capt O’Neill, from Killarney town, are among a contingent of Irish personnel serving at the mission’s headquarters in Camp Film City, Pristina.
The Irish Defence Forces have participated in the UN-mandated peace-keeping mission since 1999, focusing on maintaining a secure environment and freedom of movement for all citizens in the region. The presence of these local officers in key staff appointments continues Killarney’s long-standing connection to international peacekeeping efforts. Earlier this month, Irish personnel in Pristina marked St Patrick’s Day with a special medal ceremony to recognize their service and contribution to the mission.