Boxing club to reopen in Enniscorthy after three years

A boxing club is set to reopen in Enniscorthy…

A boxing club in the Moyne, Enniscorthy, namely St Anthony’s St Patrick’s Boxing Club, closed its doors in 2023, but after a three year hiatus, progress has been made to reopen the boxing club.

Reopening the gym after a hiatus is not an easy thing to do, but John Paul Kennedy tells us that it’s a vital for the local community and young athletes within the town:

“We believe that the local boxing clubs are currently at capacity. We are reopening our doors to ensure no aspiring athlete is left without a place to train. We are especially proud to revive a club that holds a deep personal and professional history for our coaching team,” JohnPaul told Wexford Weekly.

It’s a boxing club which is steeped in history too. St Patricks Boxing Club was established in 1951. It amalgamated with St Anthonys as St Anthonys St Patricks in 1993, producing multiple national champions and top-level athletes along the way.

Opening the boxing gym wouldn’t be possible without a number of key individuals. The gym also received some financial backing by a donor, but that individual expressed desire to remain anonymous.

Then, John Paul Kennedy and Michael Tyrrell are just two people, along with a team of other committed volunteers and coaches, who have been working behind the scenes to reopen the boxing club. Those familiar with Wexford boxing circles would be aware of those two names too; both JP and Michael were once Irish Boxing Champions, but they’re hoping to pass on that knowledge to the younger generation now.

Boxing is on an upward trajectory in Wexford. Along with a booming amateur scene, there are now three professional boxers — David Kennedy, Dean Walsh, and Dean Furlong — representing the Sunny South-East on both the national and international stage.

Looking ahead to the future, John Paul Kennedy tells us that even though it’s early doors, he hopes that St Anthony’s St Patrick’s boxing club will become a haven for local boxers. They are already seeking expressions of interest; any local boxer with an interest in joining their gym is encouraged to message the St Anthony’s St Patrick’s Facebook page.

“Because we are starting fresh with a completely clean slate, we are looking for dedicated individuals who want to step through our doors and truly learn the sport of amateur boxing. We focus on traditional boxing, proper technique, and real ring discipline. Whether you are a beginner willing to work hard from scratch or an experienced boxer looking for a fresh start, we want to build a team that is committed to the sport,” they said.

“We’re also wanting to foster a safe, inclusive community hub that promotes mental well-being, mutual respect, and positive social engagement. We also want to instill life skills and mentorship by using the discipline of the sport to build resilience, self-confidence, and strong character in young people outside the ring.,” John Paul told Wexford Weekly.

In related local boxing news, there are a number of top-level Wexford boxers currently boxing at the Four Nations Cup in Scotland. Meanwhile, both David Kennedy and Dean Furlong have scheduled in their next professional boxing dates.

Anyone interested in joining the gym is encouraged to message the St Anthony’s St Patrick’s Facebook page. Membership may be on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on local uptake.