Saturday is County Boxing Championships Day

Mike McCarthy, Tralee Boxing Club (left) and Johnny Kennelly, Ballyduff Boxing Club pictured after their Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club Tournament bout on Saturday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sliabh Luachra Boxing club will host the Kerry County Boxing Championships on this Saturday, March 1st at 2.30pm in the NEKD building at The Crageens in Castleisland.

The event will showcase the talent of the six Boxing clubs throughout Kerry. The various bouts will decide who will be Kerry County Champions on the day. The winners will go on to the Munster championships in March.

Long Tradition

Though there is a deep and long tradition of the sport of Boxing in Castleisland, the Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club was established here on December 4-2006.

It took up, after a slight lapse where the late Tom McCarthy had left off. During his long reign as trainer, Tom guided several local youngsters to county, provincial and national titles.

The late boxing trainer, Tom McCarthy with Ted Clifford from Currow - one of his Irish champions back in July of 1996. ©Photograph: John Reidy 04/07/1996 — The late boxing trainer, Tom McCarthy with Ted Clifford from Currow – one of his Irish champions back in July of 1996. ©Photograph: John Reidy 04/07/1996

He also ran tournaments which attracted boxers from many parts of Munster and beyond to these annual events at the local community centre.

Natural Successors

You could say that John O’Connell and Jennifer O’Sullivan-Coffey are Tom’s natural successors as they are people at the helm of the club these days.

Since its establishment in 2006 the Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club has grown and developed beyond all expectations. The club caters for young people from the ages of five to17 and it also runs an adult training session.

“The club provides activities and team building through involvement to encourage the development of values, self-confidence and self esteem in all young people it caters for. It aims to provide opportunities and activities for the youth in their own community.

Parental Involvement

Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club members, Brandon Griffin and his dad, Paul from Kilcummin looking happy after Brandon's bout on Saturday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy — Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club members, Brandon Griffin and his dad, Paul from Kilcummin looking happy after Brandon’s bout on Saturday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy

“We pursue a policy of parental involvement within the club and support family participation where possible. We

are very lucky to have to have such a strong support base and dedication from our volunteers within the club .The Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club is supported by North & East Kerry Development,” said Ms. O’Sullivan-Coffey.

The club members are hoping for a big turn-out of local support for the county championships on Saturday. Anyone interested in further details is invited to contact Jennifer O’Sullivan-Coffey – N.E.K.D. 087 9493451