Kennedy feted with hero award
GOREY GARDA and heavyweight boxer Niall Kennedy has got a ‘Hero of the World’ award from the World Boxing Council.
The 36-year-old father of one has a second career as a professional heavyweight boxer. But it’s for his roles as a frontline worker during the Covid-19 pandemic, and his tireless campaigning to highlight mental health issues, that he was recognised by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman from its headquarters in Mexico City.
Kennedy was nominated for the award by his trainer, Paschal Collins, as well as wellknown American-based boxing promoter Lou Di Bella.
Stationed in Wicklow town, Kennedy has seen at first hand how Garda work has changed since the lockdown was imposed.
‘We are not dealing with what might be described as the normal stuff any more. With all the pubs closed there are no public order calls, for example,’ he said.
‘However, there has been a spike in calls in relation to mental health issues as well as domestic calls, which is probably due to people drinking more at home.’
Even though he can no longer travel to Collins’ Celtic Warrior gym in Corduff to train, Kennedy says the lockdown has simplified his own life. ‘I’m probably enjoying it.’
Just before the coronavirus arrived in Ireland, Kennedy was one of the key organisers of a 24-hour mental health charity in Gorey Boxing Club.
Wexford sports personalities such as Conor McDonald and Anthony Masterson gave onehour talks on issues relating to mental health.
‘Anthony gave an unbelievable talk about addiction issues, while Conor highlighted problems around social media.’
Together with the other organiser, Adam Cullen, whose father, Ray, is C.E.O. of ‘Talk To Tom’, a Gorey-based suicide prevention and awareness service, Niall stayed overnight in the club after talks had concluded.
‘I couldn’t believe it, we had four different callers during the night seeking help, including one person who arrived at 5.45 a.m. in the lashing rain.
‘His life could have been at risk had we not stayed overnight,’ he said.
‘We put all the callers in touch with the appropriate services. The experience has been a massive eye-opener for me. It meant the whole event was worthwhile.’
Even though Kennedy suffered his first defeat as a professional in his most recent fight last August, he has no intention of hanging up his gloves just yet.
‘Paschal is sending me workouts and I’m trying to maintain my fitness, so when boxing resumes I won’t be that far from being fit,’ he said.
He wants to set the record straight, having previously chalked up 13 wins and a draw in his professional career, which has seen him fight primarily in the Boston region of the U.S.
‘Without a shadow of doubt I will definitely fight again. Even if I lose again I won’t be retiring.
‘Everybody else is ready for me to hang up the gloves, but I’m not. The last fight wasn’t a true reflection of my ability, because I had an injury,’ he said.
‘I still believe I haven’t shown my true ability. I want to empty the tank completely and to be sure that when I do retire I know I have given it everything,’ said Kennedy, who won the Massachusetts State heavyweight title in 2017 and sparred with world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua prior to one of his title fights.