Small rural boxing club in Wexford rising fast on the national stage

A small rural boxing club in County Wexford is making a big impact on the Irish boxing scene, proving that dedication, talent and strong coaching can rival even the largest setups in the country….

St Abban’s Kilmshall Boxing Club, now based in a new premises in Ballywilliam, has enjoyed a remarkable surge in success since reopening in 2024.

Despite its modest size, the club is quickly building a reputation for producing top-class boxers and competing at the highest levels nationwide.

The club is led by head coach Johno Kelly, alongside coach Eddie Clifford, both of whom have played a central role in guiding the club’s recent achievements.

According to Clifford, the club’s success comes down to a combination of factors: good coaching, hard work, dedication, and top-quality talent.

That commitment extends far beyond the local area. Fighters and coaches regularly travel the length of the country week in, week out, seeking top-level sparring opportunities to sharpen their skills against the best competition available.

The results speak for themselves. The club currently boasts nine championship-level boxers, with more promising underage talent coming through the ranks. Among their standout performers is Sean Kelly, an under-17 European champion with an impressive record at national level.

Looking ahead, the club continues to produce talent capable of representing Ireland on the international stage. As Clifford explained:

“Sean Kelly, who is currently an under-17 European champion, will now go on to represent Ireland at the Four Nations competition in Scotland. His older brother Patrick is flying out to Sweden next week to represent Ireland as well, while their younger brother Charlie, who is only 11, recently picked up his first Irish title. There’s no doubt he’ll follow in his brothers’ footsteps, though he has big shoes to fill—Sean has eight Irish titles and a European gold medal, while Patrick has five Irish titles,” Eddie Clifford told Wexford Weekly.

The club’s list of All-Ireland winners for 2026 highlights its growing strength and depth. Oskar Mordarski, a four-time Irish champion, leads a talented group that includes Sean Kelly, Cody Byrne (two-time Irish champion), Charlie Kelly, Josh Byrne, Priya Clifford, and Franky Donohoe.

With a strong foundation now in place and a steady stream of emerging talent, St Abban’s Kilmshall Boxing Club is firmly focused on continuing its upward trajectory.

As coach Eddie Clifford puts it, this is just the beginning; it’s been a successful year so far, but they are far from finished.