The town of Killarney was united in grief this past February when brave local girl Amy O’Connor lost her battle with cancer, but her memory lives on in the hearts and minds of family and friends.

This was clear for all to see last Saturday when neighbours in Whitebridge Manor unveiled a new bench in her honour. Amy’s parents, Brendan and Triona, friends and residents gathered to mark the occasion while representatives from Dr Crokes, Killarney Celtic, St Paul’s Basketball Club and Killarney Valley Athletic Club were quick to acknowledge the popular local girl’s great love of, and talent for, sport.

Amy was a huge fan of the Dr Crokes senior football team and her bravery in the face of adversity was a major source of inspiration to the players on their march to All-Ireland glory in Croke Park last March. In fact, so important was Amy to the team, captain Johnny Buckley called her up to the podium to lift the trophy by his side.

Residents Association Chairman Denis Murphy, Secretary Rachel Kavanagh and resident Dora Browne were heavily involved in the project, which was also supported by Spellman’s Sawmills, Darcy Engineering and town foreman Noel O’Leary.

[caption id="attachment_23881" align="aligncenter" width="5760"] Residents of Whitebridge Estate in Killarney unveiled a memorial bench on Saturday last, dedicated to the late Amy O’Connor. Pictured with the residents are Amy’s parents Brendan and Triona and Amy’s friends Laura Cremins and Emer Talbot.[/caption]