Former Wexford professiona boxer and Mental Health advocate Niall “Boom Boom” Kennedy is joining forces with renowned children and adolescent therapist Carina McEvoy for an inspiring free talk aimed at tackling performance anxiety and the fear of failure….
The event, titled “When a Champion and a Therapist Join Forces,” promises to deliver practical strategies for building confidence and resilience, particularly under pressure.
Scheduled for Wednesday, October 8th, from 7:30pm to 9pm at the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey, the session is open to teens, parents, coaches, and teachers. Kennedy, a retired heavyweight boxer with a professional record of 14-1-2, has long been a vocal supporter of mental health initiatives in the community.
Hailing from Gorey, he has shared his personal experiences with bipolar disorder, panic attacks, and the mental challenges of high-stakes sports through various platforms, including charity events at Gorey Boxing Club and interviews promoting suicide awareness.
In a recent announcement, Kennedy expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration:
“Delighted to announce this upcoming free event. I am honoured to have been asked to team up with this phenomenal therapist to run an event for young and old. I know only too well the pitfalls of performance anxiety in sports but also in life. This event will show you simple tools to help perform under pressure.”
McEvoy, who runs the Emotional Therapy Centre at the Palms Health and Wellbeing Centre in Gorey, brings her expertise in supporting children, teens, and families through issues like anxiety, depression, and stress.
A former secondary school teacher, she emphasizes collaborative approaches with parents and has authored works drawing from her own journey with mental health challenges. Her practice focuses on evidence-based methods to foster emotional resilience, making her an ideal partner for this workshop.
The talk will cover tools and techniques to help participants – especially young athletes – manage anxiety in sports and everyday life.
With Kennedy’s first-hand insights from the ring and McEvoy’s therapeutic knowledge, attendees can expect a blend of real-world stories and actionable advice.
This event aligns with Kennedy’s ongoing commitment to mental health, including his involvement in initiatives like Headspace Gorey and the “Fight Against Suicide” endurance events. As a proud Gorey native, father, and husband, he continues to give back to the community that supported his career.
Admission is free, and no registration is required. For more details, interested parties can follow updates from Kennedy on X (@niallbaskennedy) or contact the Ashdown Park Hotel.
Jason Redmond
From Gorey, Jason is the owner of Wexford Weekly. He is also a post-primary English and History teacher.
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