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Young players set for annual Garda football blitz

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BLITZ: The 15th annual Killarney Garda National School 7-a-side Football Blitz was launched at Killarney Garda Station on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean

 

By Michelle Crean

18 teams are looking forward to taking each other on at an exciting football blitz next week.

The youngsters will take part in the 15thannual Killarney Garda National School 7-a-side Football Blitz, at Fitzgerald Stadium next Wednesday from 9.30am.

The event began in 2005, set up by Garda Eddie Walsh, who is based in Killarney Garda Station, and Detective Pat Kelliher, who is now retired.

School teams taking part this year include Faha, Lissivigeen, Tiernaboul, Coolick, Loughatane, The Mon, Kenmare, Glenbeigh, Cullina, Gneeveguilla, Boherbee, Gael Scoil, Fossa, Duagh, Barraduff, Anablah, Rathmore and St Oliver’s.

Kerry players Dara Moynihan, Michael Byrnes, Gavin White and Sean O’Shea will also be there, as well as former Kerry player Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper, to help and guide the youngsters as 40 games will be played for an hour at a time.

And on the day the players will be led out by piper Mike Milner and there will also be a minute’s silence to remember talented football player Niall McGillicuddy (16), who passed away last year, Eddie explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

“Niall was a talented footballer and played with The Mon and Legion. Killarney Gardai will remember him with a minute’s silence.”

Eddie also explained that the blitz was set up to bring communities together.

“Every year we try to make it bigger and better. It is great to be involved in promoting the GAA and the Gardai within schools,” he said.

“To date over 2,400 have played in the blitz including some who went on to win minor and senior All-Ireland medals. A lot have gone on to play with Kerry. We also have about 20 Kerry Gardai who will be helping on the day.”

 

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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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