A YOUNG kickboxer from Coolock is one of Ireland’s most successful athletes competing on the international stage at present.
14-year-old Ella Murtagh, from Kilmore West, has had an incredible three months which culminated in her being crowned double WAKO European champion last month.
At the WAKO Hungarian World Cup in September, Ella, who is a member of Santry Sport Taekwon, won two gold medals and one silver.
Ella arriving back to Dublin Airport following her outstanding performances in Montenegro
Then at the WAKO Junior European Championships in Montenegro last month she was crowned European Champion in both the Light Contact and Kick Light competitions.
She also won silver in the Points Fighting competition to cap an excellent European Championships performance.
Northside People spoke with Ella’s father, Gar Murtagh, to find out more about her astonishing success.
“We’re all very proud of her, this success is the result of her great dedication and hard work over the past eight years,” Gar said.
“During those years she has trained six nights a week, she works so hard and we’re all delighted she is a double European Champion.
“Her performances in Montenegro were fantastic.
“The level of talent fighting on the Irish team was excellent.”
Gar, who accompanied Ella to the championships, said it was a wonderful nine days that they will never forget.
“We were hopeful heading over that Ella would do well following her performances in Budapest at the Hungarian World Cup.
“It was fairly nerve racking because all the competitors had to be tested for Covid before every fight.
“Imagine how heart breaking it would be after all that training if a kickboxer wasn’t allowed compete due to a positive Covid test?
“Thankfully everything went great, I have to say the championships were run very well so great credit to the organisers.
“I have so many people I want to thank for all their work with Ella: Lorraine Riddell, whose great coaching and support for Ella all week helped her achieve success, we will always be grateful.
Ella back in Santry Sport Taekwon-Do with her coach Darren Doherty
“Her coach Darren Doherty (pictured above) from Santry Sport Taekwon-Do who has been by her side since the day she started, as have coaches Robbie Haugh, Terry Bradley and Nicholas Duffy.
“Massive thanks also to Desmond Leonard, Martin Bannon, Dave Heffernan, Aine Conlon and Elaine Small from Kickboxing Ireland for all the coaching and support they give Ella and everyone on the team at the championships.
“Ella will have a rest now over Christmas and her next target will be the WAKO Irish Open at Citywest at the end of February.”