The first Boxing High Performance Unit outside of Dublin is set to open in Limerick in early 2012. Limerick Regeneration Agency is in advance talks with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association about establishing a 14,000 square foot High Performance Unit in the former Fulflex building in the Galvone Industrial Estate in Southill.
The facility would serve all young boxers in the Limerick and Munster area who currently have to travel to Dublin for high performance training. Irish Amateur Boxing Association Director Dominic O’Rourke has already made several trips to Limerick to help progress the project.
Kieran Ryan, Assistant Director, Limerick Regeneration, said the new building has already been secured and should be fitted out by early 2012.
“We’re delighted with this news which is fantastic for both Southill and Limerick,” he said. “We are hopeful that a lot more young athletes will be enticed into boxing and the facility can be used by all clubs in the region as it will be large enough to host competitions. We also hope to create linkages with various service providers including the new boxing club at the University of Limerick.”
President of Southill boxing club, Gerry Barry, who has been involved in Limerick boxing for over 35 years, said the new Southside High Performance Academy will be of huge benefit to the region.
“Former European champion Willie ‘Bang Bang’ Casey and World Champion prospect Andy Lee have really raised the profile of Limerick boxing but this news is very exciting and is going to transform boxing in Southill,” Gerry said.
“There will be huge benefits to the community and to Limerick. Boxing is a great sport that provides a real outlet for young people, teaching them respect and discipline, giving them self-confidence and the chance to make new friends. This new academy will be fit out with three rings and boxers will have a top class back up system that you can only get from a high performance unit. I’d like to particularly thank Limerick Regeneration for its role in getting this centre for Limerick which we hope to have ready to open in the New Year.”
Southill Boxing Club which ceased in 2004 has been re-formed with a committee of Gerry Barry (Club President and author of A History of Boxing Clubs in Limerick) Tony Deloughrey (retired international boxer) Steve Gleeson (Gleesons Sports Scene) Kieran Ryan, (Limerick Regeneration) Fr Joe Young, Michael ‘Buster’ McNamara (former boxer) and Maurice English (Southill CTC).
Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Jim Long has also has welcomed the announcement.
“The establishment of a high performance boxing unit in Galvone will be of huge benefit to the people of Southill and the greater Limerick area,” he said. “I’m delighted with this news which further cements Limerick’s status as a European City of Sport and I’m looking forward to the development of boxing in Limerick being enhanced by this new facility.”
ENDS
For further information or to set up media interviews, please contact Laura Ryan, Limerick Communications Office, 88 O’ Connell Street, Limerick, 061-400010 086-6042544
NOTE TO EDITOR AND PIC CAPTION:
Former World Champion Barry McGuigan was in Limerick to officially launch Gerry’s book “A History of Boxing Clubs in Limerick” which is now for sale in Gleesons Sports Store, 25 Upper William Street, Limerick.
Pictured L-R is Steve Gleeson, Gleesons Sports Scene, Gerry Barry, author, Barry McGuigan, former world champion and Kieran Ryan, Limerick Regeneration.
