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New tournament will celebrate Niall’s love of football

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HONOUR: Niall McGillicuddy’s sister Jane, father Daithi, mother Sheila and sister Ellen with Kerry Football Manager Peter Keane at the launch of the ‘Niall McGillicuddy Memorial Cup’. Photo Sean Moriarty

 

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By Michelle Crean

A brand new football tournament is planned to honour the late Niall McGillicuddy, who was one of Kerry’s finest young football players.

Yesterday (Thursday), Kerry Manager Peter Keane launched the ‘Niall McGillicuddy Memorial Cup’ at 4pm on the balcony of the International Hotel.

Killarney Legion GAA plan to run the football tournament on Saturday, August 17 in memory of Niall, a former player with their underage academy, who died of Leukaemia last October, aged just 16.

The club said it’s not a fundraiser, but more a celebration of Niall’s love of football.

“Last October the McGillicuddy family suffered an incalculable and devastating loss with the untimely passing of their much loved son and brother Niall,” Pat Moynihan, a member of organising committee, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“The entire community of Killarney and beyond was overwhelmed with sadness and disbelief when this earth-shattering news broke. Nowhere outside of the family was this loss more keenly felt than in Killarney Legion GAA Club.”

He explained that Niall had been a constant presence in Derreen since a very young boy and they had all watched him develop into a talented and dedicated Gaelic footballer, but more importantly into a hugely popular, kind and considerate young man.

“We were all looking forward to sharing in what was destined to be an honour laden and successful future both on and off the field of play.

“As family, friends and club colleagues of Daithi, Sheila, Ellen and Jane, we all wished there was something we could do in any small way, to ease the pain of their unspeakable loss. In truth of course there really isn’t much one can do except offer friendship and companionship which comes naturally in the GAA where club truly is family.”

However, he added that when the family indicated that they might like to do something to commemorate Niall’s memory, they didn’t have to ask again.

“A small committee was set up initially to explore various options, but really it was always going to be football, and following consultation with the family, the ‘Niall McGillicuddy Memorial Cup’ was conceived. This is an U16 competition, the age Niall will always be now, and is a one day competition taking place on August 17. Niall had friends in many clubs through his involvement in school teams, divisional sides and development squads and it was these friendships and indeed great rivalries which dicated the teams to be invited this year,” he said.

 

“The whole club is involved in the organisation of the event and we are confident that the tournament will be a fitting tribute to a very special and much missed son, brother and friend.”

 

 

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A Celebration of Culture, Community and Talent at St Brigid’s Presentation

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St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School was alive with music, song and celebration at their recent Trad Night 2026, a wonderful evening that showcased the rich cultural talent within their school and wider community.This special event was a joint fundraiser organised by their Gaelbhratach committee, promoting the Irish language and culture; their Yellow Flag committee, celebrating diversity and inclusion; and their dedicated Music Department. The night reflected the spirit of unity in the school, bringing together students from all year groups in a vibrant celebration of heritage through music, storytelling and dance. The programme featured an impressive lineup of performances including the brush dance, junior and senior set dancers representing local clubs such as Kilcummin and Spa, and a spectacular performance from Irish dancing World Champion Caoimhe O’Halloran. Thri junior and senior traditional groups performed beautifully, alongside the hugely talented Glenflesk Ballad Group, multiple All-Ireland award winners, who brought the audience to their feet. The evening was made all the more special with the generous sponsorship of tea and traditional brack from O’Sullivan’s Bakery, which was warmly enjoyed by all in attendance. The night concluded with a memorable performance from Deputy Principal, Liam McGill, who entertained the audience on guitar and vocals, accompanied by well-known local music teacher Rosie Healy and Aine McCann. St Brigid’s are immensely proud of all students who performed and contributed to making the night such a resounding success. Trad Night 2026 highlighted the extraordinary talent within the school and the strong sense of community that defines St Brigid’s Presentation.

A Celebration of Culture, Community and Talent at St Brigid’s Presentation

St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School was alive with music, song and celebration at their recent Trad Night 2026, a wonderful evening that showcased the rich cultural talent within their school and wider community.This special event was a joint fundraiser organised by their Gaelbhratach committee, promoting the Irish language and culture; their Yellow Flag committee, celebrating diversity and inclusion; and their dedicated Music Department. The night reflected the spirit of unity in the school, bringing together students from all year groups in a vibrant celebration of heritage through music, storytelling and dance. The programme featured an impressive lineup of performances including the brush dance, junior and senior set dancers representing local clubs such as Kilcummin and Spa, and a spectacular performance from Irish dancing World Champion Caoimhe O’Halloran. Thri junior and senior traditional groups performed beautifully, alongside the hugely talented Glenflesk Ballad Group, multiple All-Ireland award winners, who brought the audience to their feet. The evening was made all the more special with the generous sponsorship of tea and traditional brack from O’Sullivan’s Bakery, which was warmly enjoyed by all in attendance. The night concluded with a memorable performance from Deputy Principal, Liam McGill, who entertained the audience on guitar and vocals, accompanied by well-known local music teacher Rosie Healy and Aine McCann. St Brigid’s are immensely proud of all students who performed and contributed to making the night such a resounding success. Trad Night 2026 highlighted the extraordinary talent within the school and the strong sense of community that defines St Brigid’s Presentation.

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European title for Killarney handball star

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By Con Dennehy

Killarney handball star Owen Brosnan answered Ireland’s call at the weekend with a breathtaking display at the European One Wall Tour in London.

Currow native and Spa Killarney Handballer, Brosnan took on the best players in England, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, France and Israel and thanks to a superb display returned back to Kerry with a European gold medal following his phenomenal success in the Men’s C Plate competition.
Played at the Westway Sports Complex in London, more than 150 players took part in the competition on six indoor courts with Brosnan and his Killarney team colleague Tim Cronin playing 15 games over the two days. Following earlier round victories, Brosnan was paired with Tim Cronin in a Kerry dominated semifinal clash. This was an exciting high-octane game with both players producing a classic display of handball. Aces were hard fought with just one point separating both players at the end of a pulsating game. Brosnan advanced to the final on a 21-20 scoreline. “I was thrilled with my semifinal game. It was a hard-fought contest with all the training at the Spa GAA Hall helping me edge out a win. We train together and know each other strengths and weaknesses which added to the excitement of the occasion. We both teamed up in the Men’s B Plate Doubles competition reaching the semifinal where we were defeated by Matt Flapan and Gleb Spiridon, a USA/Israel combination,” said Owen.
Brosnan produced a superb display of fast paced handball in the Men’s C Plate final where his opponent was the highly fancied Josh Thomas from Wales. Using the court to his full advantage, the Killarney player produced a brilliant all-round performance to record a 21-18 victory and in the process his first major title.
“Naturally, I was delighted with the success. Both Tim and I started the sport by accident over 12 months ago when we attended an Open Family Day at Spa GAA Club. Brendan O’Donoghue, one of the founders of Spa Killarney Handball Club, was giving a demonstration of handball and invited us to try it out. We both enjoyed the experience and have been playing ever since. We are looking forward to the various domestic competitions over the coming months and really enjoy the training and fun element to the sport in the club.”

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