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Ballyduff motorcycle racer Anthony O’Carroll returned home over the weekend, just over a year after a serious crash at the Isle of Man left him with life-changing injuries.
The 28-year-old, one of Ireland’s top road racing talents, suffered multiple injuries during a practice session in July 2024.
His recovery had been long and difficult, supported by his parents, Mary and Nelius, and a large circle of friends and supporters.
Two informal meet-and-greet events were held on Saturday to mark his visit.
A large crowd attended both functions.
Some of Anthony O’Carroll’s lifelong Ballyduff friends at a meet-and-greet in Walsh’s Bar, Ballyduff on Saturday.
Stephen O’Carroll, Alan Doody, Bryan Cantillon, Anthony O’Carroll, Kevin Slattery, Graham O’Connor. Photo: Aoife Flavin
Local racers Emmet O’Grady (Tralee) and brothers Jack and Alex O’Grady (Ballyduff) were at the Ballyduff Community Centre gathering.
Later, at Walsh’s Bar, local road racer Stephen Walsh joined supporters along with several members of the committee who organised last September’s fundraising event in the North Kerry village.
That fundraiser helped purchase a wheelchair-adapted Peugeot, which allowed the family to bring Anthony from the Brampton Care Home in Oranmore, County Galway, for his first visit home since before the accident.
Stephen O’ Carroll (Ballyduff, cousin and race mechanic), Mark Kane (Tralee, fundraiser committee member), Stephen Walsh (Ardfert, road racers) with Anthony O’Carroll at a meet-and-greet in Walsh’s Bar, Ballyduff on Saturday. Photo: Sean Moriarty
Anthony was in good spirits and chatted briefly with many of his well-wishers.
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Kerry Motorsport News 