Boxing club in urgent appeal for premises

Shauna Bowers 

MEMBERS of a Northside boxing club are making an urgent appeal to the community to assist them in their search for new premises. 

Glin Boxing Club, based in Coolock, had to vacate their temporary facility on the former Tile Market premises, adjacent to Northside Shopping Centre, on January 1.

Club secretary Brian Foley is thankful for the opportunities the Tile Market premises afforded them and is hoping they can acquire a similar size facility in the near future.

“If anyone knows of a premises that would lend itself to this great club we would love to hear from them,” Mr Foley said.  

The club was allowed to use the former Tile Market premises as their clubhouse and training facility since December 2016 but that has now been sold.

However, it was aware that the premises was up for sale when granted permission to use it.

“Unfortunately due to economic change, the premises have been sold on. We knew from day one that this was on the cards. We just didn’t expect it to happen so soon,” Mr Foley said.

The facility at Northside Shopping Centre enabled the boxers to reach new heights and the club brought home nine medals from the Dublin Leagues.

“Since moving into these premises (at Northside Shopping Centre), the club has gone from strength to strength, so obviously we are very sad at the prospect of being without a home ground at present,” said Mr Foley.

“A premises this size and unlimited availability for boxing students gave these kids the scope to be the very best they could be.”

Since the turn of the year Glin Boxing Club have found a temporary prefab near St Anne’s Park, Raheny, that they can use. However, while they are grateful for it, it is not big enough for their needs. 

“It’s way too small,” said Mr Foley. “We’ve lost so many boxers already, about two-thirds. Our ladies’ classes and fitness classes, they’re all gone.”

Through Northside People, Mr Foley thanked all those who were involved in converting the former ‘Tile Market’ premises into a facility that suited their needs, in particular, Madeleine Ebbs, Senior Community Officer, Dublin City Council; Deirdre Smyth, manager of Northside Centre for Unemployed; Alan McCabe, manager of Northside Shopping Centre; and Marie Hanlon.

“Without their help, the club could not have made the unprecedented success it has of late,” he added.  

Alan McCabe, manager of Northside Shopping Centre, said the community is very important to the centre and they are doing everything within their power to help the club relocate.

“They (Glin Boxing Club) came to me looking for a premises in 2016 and we gave that to them free of charge,” Mr McCabe told Northside People. 

“We paid the council rates and everything to help them out.

“Just before Christmas, the land was bought over and they did have to vacate unfortunately.” 

Mr McCabe said the centre is still continuing its efforts to help Glin Boxing Club find a permanent premises. 

“We have given them an old factory unit to store all of their equipment free of charge as well,” he added. “We’re just trying to get them somewhere else.”