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Young basketball stars to court success at Triple Threat camp in Killarney
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AN ARRAY of high-profile basketball coaches will be sharing their knowledge and skills at a Halloween basketball camp that will take place at Killarney Sports Centre from November 2 until November 4. The annual 'Triple Threat’ basketball camp is the brainchild of well-known Killarney basketball coach James Weldon and it presents a great opportunity for budding young basketballers to work with and learn from some top coaches.
The three-day Halloween camp is open to boys and girls from age five to seventeen, and will be divided into two sections. The junior camp is for five-eleven year olds and takes place from 10am to 1pm each day. The senior camp is for twelve-seventeen year olds and will run from 2pm to 5pm each day.
Coaches at this camp include some of the best Irish and international coaches. Former superleague players James Weldon and Ger Noonan are joined by Irish internationals Michelle Fahy and Lorraine Scully along with Rathmore native Jim Hughes.
Key additions to the coaching team for the Halloween camp this year are American basketballer Kevin Gray and former Slovenian basketball international Muharem Muki Vugdalic. Columbus Ohio native Kevin Gray is a former NCAA college basketball player and is currently playing with Killorglin in the National League.
Muharem Muki Vugdalic is the director of coaching in St Paul's Basketball Club Killarney and has a wealth of international coaching and playing experience.
James Weldon is a FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate (FECC)-approved basketball coach and one of only 300 coaches in the world who have this qualification.
He is a former superleague player with St Paul’s Killarney and coached the St Paul’s ladies team through an impressive stint in the top flight before going on to enjoy incredible success with the all-conquering UL Huskies superleague and national cup-winning team. He coached UL to ten national titles in four seasons and was honoured with the Irish Basketball Coach of the Year award on three different occasions. His talents have also been recognised with his appointment as head coach to a number of Irish teams. James currently coaches Killorglin men’s team in the national league.
Ger Noonan is another familiar basketball name in Kerry basketball circles following his impressive displays with the Gleneagle Lakers during the Noughties. He is also a former player/coach with the Neptune superleague team led them to national cup success and was named superleague player of the year in 2013.
Michelle Fahy is a former Irish International and is widely regarded as one of the top Irish players of all time. Lorraine Scully is an experienced superleague player with Dublin side Killester and has also represented Ireland in the past as well as being team manager of the Ireland U18 ladies team.
These coaches will guide all participants through some challenging and very beneficial skills sessions. Young players will learn new skills and drills and gain a huge insight into the fundamentals of basketball that will help them improve their overall game.
Triple Threat is a basketball term where a player is in position to pass, dribble and shoot on offence. The Triple Threat basketball camp will have daily stations covering all the passing, shooting, dribbling and rebounding skills. Participants will also enjoy three versus three games and five versus five games and be in with a chance to win spot prizes.
A novel attraction at the camp will be the use of the latest basketball technology including the 'Blast App' and the 94Fifty Smart Sensor Basketball. This is a regulation basketball with sensors inside. The sensors in the basketball use of point-of-force technology to record data about your shot and your dribble and then provide data which can be instantly analysed and provide feedback in real time.
Participants will be able to enjoy the magnificent facilities at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre which boasts two full size indoor basketball courts. The wonderful indoor playing arena is sure to guarantee an enjoyable experience no matter what the weather is like outside.
Places at the camp are limited and have already been filling up very quickly in recent weeks.
Further information about registration is available on the Triple Threat Basketball Facebook page or call or text 087-2907 455 or 085-124 0185.
Looking forward to the 'Triple Threat' Basketball Camp that will take place in Killarney Sports Centre from November 2, 3 and 4 were Kevin Gray, left, with Ava Sheehan, Mark Sheehan, Ava Weldon and Rian Weldon with Muharem Muki Vugdalic and James Weldon (Camp Director).
PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH
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.”
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.
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