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No major intercounty matches for Killarney this summer

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By Sean Moriarty

Kerry footballers in action in Fitzgerald Stadium in either the Munster or All-Ireland championships are unlikely to happen this year - Kerry GAA Chairman Tim Murphy said this week.

The Kerry GAA county board are monitoring the national health situation but as each week passes there is less time available on the calendar to host a full summer season of intercounty action.

The Government announced recently that all major events involving more than five thousand people would not be permitted to run until September 1 at the earliest.

GAA officials in Croke Park have said that localised club championships would be first to get up and running once any restrictions are lifted.

That means time is running out for any meaningful intercounty championship and rather than run a championship-style season which includes the Super 8 format, this year’s provincial and All-Ireland series will run in the old-style knock-out format with the winner of each province going straight to an All-Ireland semi-final.

The Kerry V Cork Munster semi-final fixture, regardless of a date, is set in stone to be played in Pairc Ui Caoimhe in Cork City and with the Super 8s championship kicked to touch, the net result is Killarney will not host a major intercounty game this season.

“It [Super 8] will not happen,” Tim Murphy, Kerry GAA Chairman, told the Killarney Advertiser. “The first thing is club activity will be eased back once restrictions are lifted and this will allow some format of club activity. Once we are in a position that intercounty could resume, it would go to a straight knock-out. All of this depends on what the HSE tells us in relation to running events.”

There is some glimmer of hope but that depends on other results within the Munster series. Assuming Kerry beat Cork and either Limerick or Tipperary qualify for the Munster final, then that game would be played in Killarney. If Clare make it through, it would have to be played at a neutral venue and there is no precedence with sharing alternate venues with Waterford. Regardless, none of these counties would bring a travelling army of fans like the number of Cork fans who would descend on the town at any time.

"The longer this goes on, the likelihood there won't be any games," added Murphy. "There is a possibility and some hope of a game but it all depends on how this evolves (in terms of other results) first and then there are possibilities."

The Super 8 championship format was introduced during the 2018 season and last year Kerry hosted Mayo in Fitzgerald Stadium. A glorious summer’s day, a stadium packed to capacity and a Kerry victory made it one of the most memorable occasions in the town.

Murphy said fans will have plenty to look forward to in 2021, the home and away arrangement with Cork will swing in Killarney’s favour next season and a good run in the Munster Championship will ensure at least one Super 8 fixture on home ground.

“The Mayo match last year, there wasn’t an occasion like it anywhere in the world,” he added. “It is devastating for our players and supporters and there will be financial implications too, but that is for Croke Park to manage. Things might improve in the next six or eight weeks but the only viable solution is that the Super 8 are, most likely, gone.”

Murphy added that all decisions regarding match fixtures and spectator numbers at each ground will only be taken after speaking to senior HSE officials.

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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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