Castledaly teenager wins national kickboxing title

Patrick Sheriff from Castledaly became the U-18 cruiserweight kickboxing champion of Ireland recently. Sheriff defeated world kickboxing silver medalist Michael Caswell on the Irish Kickboxing Federation (IKF) fight night which was held in the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin. A member of the Athlone-based Wolfpack Kickboxing club, Patrick came through an epic battle that was probably the fight of the night, winning after four fast-paced rounds. It was never going to be an easy fight as Caswell (from the Black Panthers club in Dublin) is a very experienced fighter. The two young men came out with all guns blazing but Patrick sent his opponent to the canvas in the opening exchange, giving him a standing count which edged Patrick ahead on points. Both fighters showed superb punching, slipping and kicking skills. It was a very close bout, the judges scored it in favour of the 17-year-old Athlone Community College student, crowning him the U-18 cruiserweight champion. Patrick earned the right to take on Caswell due to his record of having won all eleven of his previous kickboxing fights. A Leaving Cert student at Athlone CC, Patrick is a son of Bernie and Michael Sheriff. Wolfpack Kickboxing coach Leon Parsons was delighted with Patrick's success which demonstrated the progress he has made since taking up the sport in 2009. "I had a young 15 year-old that walked into my class, no different than any other, but he soon set himself apart from the rest. His work-rate, dedication, attention and hunger set him apart from everyone else," said Leon of Patrick. "He proved that all the hard training and sacrifices paid off. It was one of the proudest moments of my life to lift him up as a champion." Wolfpack kickboxing club is based at Inish Carraig, Golden Island, Athlone, and offers classes in kickboxing and mixed martial arts. For more details, contact Leon Parsons (087 2227223), or check the club's website (www.wolfpackkickboxing.ie)