Mayo sports club to open fabulous new facility
Seamus Ryder of Clydesdale Construction hands over the keys of the newly constructed gym to Billy Rice, secretary, Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club.
Excitement is building ahead of the grand opening of the Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club's new gym on Friday.
In what has been an exciting time for Irish boxing, the next generation in Foxford and Knockmore will have a new facility to showcase their talents.
The opening comes 18 years after the boxing club affiliated with the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) and opened the gym in a small top storey small room in the Knockmore Resource Centre.
The club moved into the newly completed Community Hall two years later and spent five years training and staging many successful tournaments from the venue.
In 2018, the club obtained sports capital funding and leased the former Hennigan's Pub in Foxford, which was converted into a suitable gym by local contractor Clydesdale Construction, and the club was renamed the Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club.
The building is now fully completed to a high standard, and the newly formed Foxford Table Tennis (TT) club are also using the premises three times a week.
The committee of the TT club were a huge addition to the boxing club in getting the building fully completed to a high-quality standard and obtaining sponsorship for various interior aspects of the building.
The new season has just commenced recently and membership numbers are looking positive.
Speaking ahead of the grand opening, coach Billy Rice said it was a big moment for the boxing club, having waited 18 years for the facilities they needed.
“Without a boxing ring, it is like playing football with no goalposts. You can’t do it. We have been behind all clubs in Mayo, Connacht and Ireland for the last 18 years trying to catch up with them.
“It will give our boxers a major boost going into the ring. We have lads who have never been in the ring before until they get into a tournament. Now, they train in it every night and get used to it.
“It gives the coaches a major boost going forward too. Eighteen years ago, we worked in a small room in the Knockmore Resource Centre. We didn’t know any better at the time. It took 18 years, but we got there anyway."
As young, aspiring boxers across the country watched the incredible scenes in Croke Park for Katie Taylor’s final fight, and Monaghan’s Aaron McKenna became a world champion, the numbers taking up the sport are growing in clubs across Ireland, with Billy seeing the immediate impact.
“Usually, coming back at this time of year it would be quiet, you might get 10 or 11 in. We had 40 in on our first night. It gives us a great boost and confidence rather than seeing five or six lads in the club.
“To see a crowd training, it makes it worth it.
“I am getting phone calls every day, asking can my young fella start? What age does he need to be? I have a girl and she wants to start. Give it another month and we will have big numbers.”
The event starts at 7.30 pm on Friday next, September 25th, with a blessing from local priest Fr Padraig Costello and music by Heads or Tails, with the new facility to be opened by Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary.
The club are extremely grateful to all who sponsored them over the years and especially James Geraghty from Molloy's Pharmacy. A request was forwarded to numerous businesses for funding and Molloy's Pharmacy came up with sufficient funding to have the floor covered for opening night. Joe Queenan of Foxford Woollen Mills also contributed to the necessary funding.
The club also wishes to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to the success of this project, including the committees and many volunteers, members and local community and businesses.
