Members of Killarney Judo Club travelled to Dublin on Sunday, March 22, to participate in the National Judo Grading.

The event serves as a critical milestone for martial artists progressing toward their Black Belts, testing both technical skill and competitive ability.
Among the successful candidates was Kevin Casey, who recently returned to the club after several years away. Casey earned his Blue Belt after completing a demanding technical assessment that required him to demonstrate a diverse range of traditional throws.
Two of the club’s younger prospects, 15-olds Patrik Polubnak and James Maher, delivered standout performances to secure their Brown Belts. A highlight of the day occurred when Maher executed a high-amplitude throw on an opponent significantly larger than himself, earning a perfect score from the national examiners. Both teenagers are now beginning an intensive training block in preparation for their Black Belt grading this September.
Ciara Forde also continued her ascent through the senior ranks. Following her performances in Dublin, Forde is now just three contest wins away from her Black Belt. If successful, she will become the 26th person in the history of the Killarney club to achieve the rank.
Coaches and supporters from the club made the trip to the capital to oversee the grading, which marks another successful chapter for the local club as it continues to develop athletes across all age groups.

The 2026 Killarney Rally of the Lakes is set to introduce several major changes to the prestigious May Bank Holiday motorsport event.

The weekend will kick off with the ceremonial start ramp in Killarney town centre on Friday evening.

This high-energy event remains a fan favourite, drawing thousands of spectators to the town to see the crews and machinery up close before the competitive action begins on Saturday morning.

The opening day features a blend of legendary stages and fresh territory. While the route includes the iconic run over Moll’s Gap, a significant departure for 2026 sees the rally move towards Millstreet for much of the Saturday loop.

This involves the use of newer or lesser-used roads in the vicinity, providing a fresh challenge for drivers. In line with this shift, the service park for Saturday will be located at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet.

Sunday’s action returns to the traditional heartland of South Kerry, featuring staples such as the Beallaghbeama Pass.

The organisers have introduced a twist on the Shanera stage, extending the route by approximately 4km over roads never used in this specific configuration.

In a major scheduling shift, the Junior contenders will now run their full eight-stage event on Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday slot.

Furthermore, following the success of the Rally Masters at Killarney Racecourse, a dedicated World Rally Car class will run exclusively on Sunday.

This class features iconic 2.0-litre machines from the early 2000s, including Subaru Imprezas and Ford Focus WRCs.

While these cars are no longer eligible for overall championship honours, they remain huge fan favourites and will provide a nostalgic soundtrack to the final day.

The event serves as a crucial counting round for the NAPA Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Southern 4 Rally Championship, and the Moriarty’s Central Car Sales Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship.