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Unforgettable soccer trip for two Kerry school boys

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HERO MEETING: Classmates, Brian O’Sullivan and Sean Cox, both aged 11, met their hero Shane Long after last Friday night’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark.

 

By Sean Moriarty

A trip to see the Republic of Ireland soccer team take on Denmark in Copenhagen last Friday night turned into a memorable trip for two Kilcummin school boys.

Classmates, Brian O’Sullivan and Sean Cox, both aged 11, were taken to see the Euro 2020 qualifier at the Danish capital’s Parken Stadium by their dads Brian and Tom.

The trip itself should have been a highlight for the two soccer mad youngsters but what happened afterwards will mean the two school pals will never forget the match.

Ahead of the game they each made up posters asking for their respective idols - Brian is a huge Shane Duffy fan and his classmate Sean is a James McClean fan - to give them their jerseys after the match.

“When I saw them going off with their poster I thought they had no chance,” Brian’s mother Maura told the Killarney Advertiser. “But they got to the stadium early and the Irish team was out practicing and saw the posters and gave the two boys the thumbs up.”

History will record that Shane Long scored the equalising goal, much to the delight of Sean.

After the game James McLean sought out the four Killarney fans in the crowd and handed his jersey to Tom - but Shane Duffy was unable to make it across the pitch.

Sensing Sean’s disappointment the two enterprising dads made their way to the back of the stadium and met a security guard and explained their situation. The guard took their posters to the Irish team’s dressing room and a few minutes later Long appeared and met the two boys.

“It was just fantastic for them,” said Maura.

“Shane Long apologised that all the jerseys were gone away to be washed, but promised Sean he would get it for him.”

On Tuesday of this week the FAI emailed the O’Sullivan family to say the jersey was in the post to them.

 

 

 

 

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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