Connect with us

News

Showtime Lakers bringing Killarney together

Published

on

H

How did we survive for almost a decade without National League basketball?

Last Saturday night’s league decider was just the latest in a long line of thrilling spectacles at the Auracle and, just seven months after reforming, the Lakers have firmly re-established themselves as Killarney’s favourite sports team.

Another huge crowd turned out to see Cormac O’Donoghue’s side duke it out with Kilkenny and the atmosphere in the fourth quarter was really special.

There’s just something about the back-and-forth nature of basketball that lends itself to great drama and excitement and those final few minutes were some of the most enjoyable I’ve experienced in a long time.

The Lakers are the only team Killarney has at that level so there’s a real sense of community at these games. It’s very different to other sports in that regard. With football and soccer, there are multiple clubs so the fan bases are divided. As we all know, there are fierce rivalries in Killarney and rivalries tend to breed bitterness.

At St Paul’s games, there’s no Legion or Crokes or Spa or Athletic or Celtic. There’s a lot of love in the building. It’s refreshing.

Personally, I love covering the basketball because, unlike football and soccer, no one in Killarney can accuse me of being biased (or not biased enough). Which is great. Also I love basketball, so that helps.

It’s a major regret of mine that I never took it up when I was younger. I’m jealous of the local boys like Flip and Mark Greene to be honest. The Lakers are without question the best Killarney team to play for at the moment. Athletic are second, obviously. (Legion juniors third.)

After starting reasonably well, the Kilkenny game looked to be slipping away from the Lakers. They trailed by 11 with six minutes to play and the energy was fairly sucked out of the building at that stage. The visitors started to tire, however, and with 3:30 on the clock, the gap was cut to just five.

In arguably the most important play of the game, Mark Greene, who was excellent all night, intercepted a pass and was fouled in the open floor. The Lakers, who are normally very good free throw shooters, had been struggling from the line all night so there was an air of trepidation in the building. Greene was unaffected. He steadied himself and drained the pair of them to make it a one-score game.

Antuan Bootle hit two free throws and all of a sudden it was 80-81. The next play down, Kilkenny stifled the Lakers attack but Dan Griffin gathered a rebound, turned and threw up a fadeaway jumper as the shot clock expired. It went in and the place erupted. (Check out my Twitter video on @AdvertiserSport if you get a chance. Scenes.)

Dailian Mason made a three shortly after and the game, and Shield, was won.

They now have a home League Cup quarter final against the fourth place team from Division 1A, IT Carlow. That tie will take place Sunday at 11am. Win or lose, this will definitely be the last home game of the season as the semis and final are on up the country.

From speaking to the players, the leagues themselves (i.e. Division 1A and Division 1B) and the President’s Cup seem to be the priority but I’m sure they’ll be going all out to challenge for this trophy as well. I think you could already call their first season back a success but there’s till time for it to get even better.

Fixture:

Tomorrow Sunday at 6.30pm

League Cup Quarter Final

Scotts Lakers v IT Carlow

(Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre)

The winners will play in the semi-finals in Tallaght on Monday at 11am.

Advertisement

News

Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

Published

on

Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

Following the violent death of Jamey Carney in Killarney on Tuesday, national charity Women’s Aid has released a stark update regarding violence against women in Ireland.

According to the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch for the Republic of Ireland, eight women have died in violent circumstances so far this year.

This figure already exceeds the total of seven women recorded during the entirety of 2025.

Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, said:

“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise.

“Since then, 40 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 40 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.

“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 286 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.

“We are thinking today of those who will be deeply impacted by the loss of life in Killarney. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.”

“The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women (where the case has been resolved) were killed by a man known to them. We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.

“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”

Support is available on the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, or go to womensaid.ie to use the Instant Message Service or for more information on domestic violence and abuse.”

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

Published

on

Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.

It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.

The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.

The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.

An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.

“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport