Killarney Judo Club hosted a successful day of sport on Sunday, February 15, as nearly 90 young judoka gathered at Lissivigeen National School for the Munster Mini Mon development competition.

The event drew competitors under the age of 13 from across the province, with athletes travelling from Cork City, Limerick, Waterford, Macroom, and Tralee.
As a development-focused event, the competition used a unique format where players were grouped by age and ability rather than traditional weight categories. This ensured a fair and competitive environment for all participants. Killarney was represented by 26 competitors, including 13 children who were stepping onto the competitive mats for the first time.
Among those making their competition debuts were Tobin and Cullen Kelliher, both of whom impressed the crowds with confident performances. The club also highlighted the leadership of Patrik Polubnak and James Maher, who served as referees and role models for the younger athletes throughout the day.
The local club finished the event with a total of 26 medals, consisting of four gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze. The coaches noted the excellent determination and sportsmanship shown by the entire squad, ranging from the youngest seven-year-olds to the 13-year-old debutants.
Following the success in Lissivigeen, the club is now preparing for the Galway Open on March 7, where they will compete against some of the top young talent in the country. While children’s classes are currently at capacity, enquiries for the waiting list can be made via Killarneyjudo.com or by contacting Tim on 086 260 1591.

Killarney filmmaker Ellen McSweeney has been named as one of just eight emerging talents selected for the prestigious Fresh Film HotHouse 2025/2026 programme.

The news comes as her experimental short film, ‘Watching the Washing Machine’, prepares for its world premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) on Friday, February 27.

The film is described as a meditation on memory and nostalgia. It follows a young woman traversing time through the repetitive lull of a washing machine, using the rhythmic nature of laundry as a portal into her character’s past. The production features local acting talent, including Kyla Shine-Leane.

Originally from Killarney and currently a film student in Dublin, McSweeney was chosen from a competitive pool of entrants in the Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year competition. Her selection for the HotHouse programme, which is supported by Screen Ireland, RTÉ, and the Arts Council, provided her with €1,000 in funding and professional mentorship to bring the project to completion.

Following its premiere at DIFF, the film will reach a national audience immediately. It is scheduled for a digital release on the RTÉ Player on February 27, where it will be featured in the “Fresh Screens” section.