Boxing club gets perfect Christmas gift

MEMBERS of a Northside sports club are celebrating after receiving the perfect Christmas gift – new premises. 

Glin Boxing Club, based in Coolock, officially unveiled their new facility at the former Tile Market premises, adjacent to Northside Shopping Centre, on a temporary lease, on December 9.

Brian Foley, secretary of Glin Boxing Club, and Marie Hanlon, manager of Brookhaven Centre, Coolock, approached Madeleine Ebbs, from Dublin City Council, seeking help to find a suitable space big enough to facilitate the growing club.

Ms Ebbs said: “As it so happened, I had been recently invited to partake in a committee in Northside Shopping Centre during the centre’s revamp with a view to improving relations with business in the community.

“We approached Northside Shopping Centre manager Alan McCabe regarding a location for the boxing club. 

“He (Mr McCabe) put it to the owners of the business properties around the shopping centre, and they agreed to give us a unit at the old Tile Market premises on a temporary lease. Needless to say, the boxing club was ecstatic.” 

As well as Ms Ebbs, the committee comprised Alan McCabe and Caroline Sage (Northside Shopping Centre management), Deirdre Smyth (Northside Centre for the Unemployed) and Dave Feeney (Parnell’s GAA Club, Coolock).

As soon as they were given the green light, Brian Foley, from Glin Boxing Club, and a band of hardworking locals, including Darren Campbell, Michael Duffy and Pat Clarke, went to work on transforming the warehouse into a very worthwhile facility.

Crown Berger supplied all the paint; Woodies Coolock also contributed to the club’s revamp; and Rushfleet, Andy Ward Construction, ESB Networks and NEAR FM also supported the project.

Ms Ebbs added: “The great thing about this project is the partnership between State agencies, community organisations and local businesses to create a fantastic outcome for a local club. 

“Northside Shopping Centre was delighted to be able to give back to the community just as they have been supported by locals over the last 40 years.” 

Brian Foley would like to thank everyone involved in bringing the project to fruition, especially Madeleine Ebbs, Deirdre Smyth and Alan McCabe.  

“We have a strong membership at present but we know we will go from strength to strength with this new premises,” said Mr Foley. 

Glin Boxing Club, which caters for approximately 60 children and teenagers, is now the envy of a lot of boxing clubs in Dublin.

The new facilities will enhance the performances of the boys and girls and help to increase their prospects when competing at major tournaments. The club has enjoyed a number of successes since its inception and it is hoped that these new premises will help bring that success to another level.

In a separate development, Parnell’s GAA Club, also based in Coolock, have agreed to join forces with Glin Boxing Club to promote youth activity in the area.

Fitcert, who have been running courses at Parnell’s for two years, have agreed to train one member of Glin Boxing Club to instructor level in fitness training.

“We hope to build on this in the coming months,” said Dave Feeney.