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Scotts Lakers v LYIT: Five things to watch out for

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National League Division 1B
Scotts Lakers v LYIT Donegal
Saturday, February 17 at 7.30pm
(Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre)

1. Five in a row?

After an inconsistent first half of the season, the Lakers finally seem to have found their feet in the National League. The 65-60 win over Sligo in the final game of 2017 has been followed up with impressive victories over LIT (97-77), the Titans (69-113) and, most recently, Sligo again (75-81).

That six-point road win last weekend was particularly encouraging as the All-Stars played quite well and provided a stern challenge to the visiting Lakers right up to the final minute. Antuan Bootle had 24 points and 11 rebounds in another dominant display while Englishman Dailian Mason added 15. Andrew Fitzgerald and Mark Greene also chipped in with 13 points each.

2. Lakers can make it a two-horse race

The Lakers currently find themselves at the summit of Division 1B with Kilkenny three points behind with a game in hand. LYIT are a further three points back in third so a win this evening will send the Lakers nine points clear of them with three games to play.

That would very much make it a two-horse title race between the Lakers and Kilkenny, who face each other in the Auracle on the last day of the regular season.

Cormac O’Donoghue’s team will also be looking for a bit of payback as the Ulstermen defeated the Lakers back in October by a single point.

3. LYIT out of form

LYIT make the long, long trip down from Donegal on the back of two consecutive defeats. Since the league was divided into two after Christmas, they’ve lost to Sligo (94-80) and also to Kilkenny (58-81). Another defeat this weekend would all but end their Division 1B aspirations.

Tonight's clash with the Lakers is the first leg of a double header for Chaz Walter and co. as they face the LIT Celtics in Limerick tomorrow.

4. Bootle continues to be the focal point

Antuan Bootle has been great at times this season and with Justin Tuason recovering from surgery on a hand injury, the 6’8” powerhouse is guaranteed maximum floor time.

Tuason and Bootle had shared minutes earlier in the season but now the Lakers need the big Bahamian-American to be consistently on it. He has certainly done well of late, averaging 23.75 points over the last four games.

5. Another great show at the Auracle

After a month-long break and with a nice piece of silverware on the horizon, Killarney’s basketball fans are expected to turn out in force for their team’s second last home league game of the season.

Another great night of entertainment lies ahead at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.

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New St author brings Fitzgerald’s story to life

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong […]

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Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong anecdotal evidence that the great American wordsmith had Kerry roots.

There has been suggestions that Fitzgerald’s family can traced to Horse Island off Ballinskelligs and research is ongoing to determine if the famous novelist, essayist and short story writer gave any indication of his Kerry connection during his lifetime.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, formerly of New Street, Killarney and now residing in Beaufort, is the author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman which was released in March to coincide with the 100th anniversary of publication of Fitzgerald’s most famous work.
O’Sullivan Greene’s research found that Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was initially deeply ashamed of his Irish connection but his views softened when he took an interest in revolutionary politics.
The Killarney man’s book guides the reader through F Scott Fitzgerald’s troubled upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the socio-political climate of early 20th-century America and the careless jazz era excesses portrayed in The Great Gatsby.
The book peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald’s character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene will deliver what promises to be an engaging talk on the life and times of F Scott Fitzgerald in the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre in Killarney on Thursday, July 3 at 6.45pm.
Part of the Celebration of Irish and American Friendship programme, the free lecture is titled Revolution, Rejection and Revival and it will mark a celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby.
The event will also include a glamorous 1920’s dance spectacular, tuition on how to dance the Charleston and a live performance by Killarney’s own Liberace, Jack Patrick Healy. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Radio Kerry’s Brendan Fuller.
The author will also share the story of how F Scott Fitzgerald’s grandson, Thomas Manhan, came to Ireland to learn Irish following his graduation in 1964.

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U2’s The Edge among new Irish Citizens

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC. The ceremonies took place on Monday and […]

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U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC.

The ceremonies took place on Monday and Tuesday this week
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland are making a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens.
Seven ceremonies were held over the two days. Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, is joined by Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, and Minister of State for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins.
“Today’s ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together. I moved to Ireland with my parents as a baby, so it’s not a stretch to say that this is long overdue! I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I’m so grateful for that,” said The Edge.
Ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said:: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship. For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people. Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation. I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society.”
Minister Brophy congratulated the new citizens, adding: “Migration plays an essential role in Ireland’s development. It strengthens our economy, enriches our cultural diversity, and deepens our sense of solidarity. We are proud to welcome each new citizen as valued members of our communities.”
Judge Paddy McMahon was the Presiding Officer for the ceremonies. administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, where new citizens commit to observing Irish laws and respecting its democratic values.
The Citizenship Division has seen a significant increase in applications, processing over 20,000 in 2023 and nearly 31,000 in 2024, up from around 12,000 annually just over two years ago.

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