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Teen to take on All-Ireland title fight this weekend

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By Michelle Crean

A young Killarney girl who has dreams of being the next Katie Taylor has qualified for an Irish boxing final in Dublin tomorrow (Saturday).

Alana O'Brien (13) from Hazelwood Drive in Ballyspillane, who took up boxing just three years ago, hopes to become the boxing champion of Ireland by bringing the Irish title back to Killarney.

Alana is daughter of Daniel and Michelle O'Brien who are temporarily living in Kildare.

She currently trains with Setanta Boxing Club, but her parents plan to bring her home to celebrate her achievements so far.

"She started aged 10 in Tralee Boxing Club," her dad Daniel told the Killarney Advertiser.

"I brought her to see Katie Taylor in The Brandon Hotel in Tralee. Alana played with Crokes and Celtic but then set her heart on boxing."

"She's well able for it, and she's gotten so much confidence from it. She won a county title with Tralee Boxing Club but never got the chance with the pandemic."

Alana, who attended St Oliver's NS and Killarney Community College before their move to Kildare, is so dedicated to her sport that she trains five nights a week. Alana will join Ali Gorman and Elma Barry in the finals in Drimnagh Boxing Club.

"It's an All-Ireland title if she wins. She hopes to bring it back to Killarney and we plan on heading home to Killarney after. She's looking forward to it and is full of confidence."

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Glenflesk GAA hosts cardiac screening clinic

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Glenflesk GAA hosts cardiac screening clinic


Glenflesk GAA Healthy Club recently welcomed the Dillon Quirke Foundation to run a cardiac screening clinic for its young members.


A total of 45 club players aged 12 to 18 underwent vital heart checks designed to promote early detection and heart health awareness among young athletes.
Medical personnel from Advanced Medical Services conducted the screenings with professionalism and care, while the club’s Healthy Club Team oversaw the smooth operation of the event.
The Dillon Quirke Foundation operates without government funding, relying entirely on public support to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and provide non-cost cardiac clinics to sports clubs across Ireland.
Glenflesk GAA encourages anyone wishing to support the foundation’s ongoing screening work to consider making a donation online at dillonquirkefoundation.com.

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Traditions past and present meet at Muckross School House

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Two distinct eras of Irish storytelling collided at Muckross School House last week, showcasing how traditional culture adapts across generations for National Heritage Week 2026.

Representing the classic lineage of Irish folklore, renowned local historian, musician, and seanchaí Dáithí Collopy delivered an authentic masterclass in old-school storytelling.

Performing alongside his children Sadhbh, Siún, and Daithí Óg, Collopy relied on the ancient oral tradition to captivate the audience through spoken word, presence, and music.


Contrastingly, social media creator Eoin Reardon brought traditional heritage into the modern digital age.

Known for sharing his traditional green woodworking craft with millions online, Reardon hosted a hands-on workshop demonstrating traditional utensil crafting techniques while engaging attendees through the lens of modern storytelling.


The events brought together two completely different methods of preserving Irish heritage—one rooted in the timeless art of the fireside seanchaí, the other leveraging modern platforms like TikTok to keep historic skills relevant for a global, digital audience.


Photos: Valerie O’Sullivan.

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