SPORT: Baldoyle Boxing Club is enjoying its new facilities

THE sport of boxing is currently enjoying something of a boom in Ireland thanks in no small part to the major exploits of our stars at recent Olympics Games.

As more successes are anticipated in Rio, local boxing clubs and their selfless band of volunteer coaches are continuing to nurture the talents of our  boxing prodigies.

Baldoyle Boxing Club is among the Northside clubs that have produced some great boxers down through the years and currently have another crop of gifted youngsters working hard to make their mark in the sport.  

Baldoyle Boxing Club has experienced a nomadic lifestyle for more than 30 years, but after finally earning Fingal County Council approval and sufficient funding, they now have a place they can call home.

November 14, 2015 proved to be a red letter day for the popular local club. On that date Irish Amateur Boxing Association chief executive Fergal Carruth, Mayor of Fingal Cllr David O’Connor and Head of Corporate Affairs at Fingal County Council, Stephen Peppard, officially opened the club’s new facilities in a building on the edge of Seagrange Park.

In a recent interview with Northside People, the club’s founder, Ned Hendricks, was basking in delight over the accomplishment.

“Hopefully, we get a few champions here within the next year or two,” he said at the time.  

Now taking a back seat at the club, founded in 1983, Mr Hendricks said it was a struggle for the club until they finally got their new facilities as they moved around from premises to premises in the local area.  

Mr Hendricks is grateful for the help they received locally but admitted the club always had an eye on their current property.

“We picked this place out ages ago but people kept telling us it was a dangerous building, even though a builder told me it’s a concrete building and was safe,” he said. 

Mr Hendricks paid tribute to the main coach, Christy Dunne, who has filled his position after years of service. He also gave a shout out to another coach, Brian Beasley. Both are former Irish youth champions.Last but not least, club secretary Ronan Kelly received praise from Mr Hendricks. “We wouldn’t be here without any of them,” he added.

Baldoyle Boxing Club is open to all new members. You can visit the club on Tuesday or Thursday