The gloves are off at new Ballymahon Boxing Club!

As a large group of youngsters line-up to have a go at punch-bags, it's hard to believe less than two weeks ago, the building was simply an empty shell. Over that short spell, the Ballymahon community has come together in admirable fashion to transform an industrial unit on the Edgeworthstown road close to the local fire station, into the town's new boxing club. The spacious premises, rented by the newly-formed group now boasts toilets, changing rooms, a boxing ring and the foundations of a small gym with equipment kindly donated by local people. "Between the three of us, me, Paddy Keenan and Mark Keenan we built it from scratch in ten days," Chairperson of the Ballymahon Boxing Club Richard Heighton enthuses of their home on Tuesday last, the first night the new recruits come through the door to begin training. And, their faith seems to be paying dividends with over 65 boys and girls, the majority beginners, already signed up from the age of seven to learn the skills of boxing. With the sport on a national high ahead of the Olympics, Richard and the committee are hoping to harness the enthusiasm the sport currently enjoys, into attracting youngsters in the door, but more importantly keeping them interested and providing them with an healthy outlet for their free time. Maybe in a few years, they too will have a Katie Taylor representing their country at the highest international level, he adds. Indeed, the idea for the club actually came from the aunt of another Olympian, John Joe Nevin from Mullingar last November. Imelda Nevin approached Richard, who runs the Ballymahon and District Community shop, a charity shop where all proceeds goes to local groups, to see if there was any possibility of setting up a boxing club for children. With a background in rugby and athletics coaches, the Leicester native, who has been living in Ballymahon for the last 15 years, thought it was a great idea but he needed some boxing expertise to add to his fitness knowledge. That's where Tommy Fitzmaurice, who has boxed with the army and coached for years and Paddy and Mark Keenan, agreed to come on board to teach the skills. However, with no space or suitable premises initially available the group hit a first stumbling block, before coming across the empty industrial unit which it now rents. Since then, over €4,000 has been spent on the fit-out. And, that's just the start as they have major plans for the venue. "In a year's time we'd love to have a full community centre here, where someone could watch a play or come to the leisure centre or a group meeting," Richard explains, adding they will shortly launch a new boxexercise class and a drama academy. The group also hopes to source a number of workers through the Tús initiative to work as coach, secretary and caretaker in the near future and is looking into setting up big screens to show some of the big match bouts during the Olympics. "We've got a good bit of support so far but we'd love more. Look at them (pointing to the children) they really want to get involved and get sparring," he says, appealing for any donations of sports equipment anyone has lying around or unused would certainly be put to good use in the club. He also paid tribute to sponsors and put a call for new ones to come forward, thanking James and Larry Bannon, Dave Mulvihill, Cllr Mark Casey and Athlone solicitor Anthony Barry. The club will be affiliated with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) in the next few weeks. All money raised in the community charity shop will go towards funding the initiative, groups associated and The Shed community centre plans, Richard points out, stressing that it's all voluntary. He set up the venture some months ago after being laid off from the flooring business and boredom set in. "We're here and open for members from Tang and Tubberclair. We already have people coming from Moate, Mullingar, Athlone and Legan. For most of the kids it's their first time ever boxing," Richard stated, as a young boy ducks and dives following keenly the instructions from Tommy Fitzmaurice on his technique. "After a few weeks they'll be flying it," the coach says full of energy and enthusiasm for the task ahead to train Ireland's newest amateur boxing heroes, something which makes one recall a famous quote from boxing's greatest Muhammed Ali. "The man that has no imagination has no wings". A saying which could also sum up the journey of Ballymahon Boxing club so far, and for what, hopefully lies ahead. For more information about Ballymahon Boxing Club, call 086 8066650 or check updates on Facebook. Mixed training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to 7.30pm for seven to 14 year olds and from 7.30pm for anyone aged 15 and over. A female only training session also takes place on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm.