Local duo make history

A piece of Irish martial art history was made this weekend when two members of Dundalk Thai Boxing, Peter Conroy and Aidan Heslin, travelled to Gáldar, Gran Canaria, Spain to participate in the European Muay Boran Championships.

Peter and Aidan are the first ever fighters from the whole island of Ireland to be selected to represent Ireland at this level.

After months of arduous preparation assisted by coaches Gerry Ross and Jay Brady and with national team coach Brian Gallagher, the Dundalk duo took to the challenge with relish and gusto and in the process did their club, town and country, proud with Peter Conroy taking home silver in the 63.5Kg weight category and Aidan Heslin taking bronze in the 60Kg Category.

What makes their achievements all the more remarkable is that even though they are experienced Muay Thai fighters this was their first time ever to compete in a Muay Boran competition whose rule set allows for a wider array of strikes as it is a battlefield martial art, compared to Muay Thai Boxing which is a sport which itself originated from Muay Boran.

Speaking directly after the event National Coach Brian Gallagher remarked: ‘This is a historic moment for martial arts in Ireland and marks a major milestone in the development of Irish Muay Boran, we not only had two fighters from Ireland competing but to also medal at such a prestigious event at European level is a wonderful achievement and lays the foundation for other Irish athletes to follow and for the sport to further develop in Ireland.

‘We also had the first Irish officials aiding in the officiating of the event, Lorne Gallagher, Jay Brady and Rob Stewart, which also marks another milestone and puts Ireland firmly on the map at European level.’

Dundalk Thai Boxing train in the Dundalk Combat Academy beside Pirates Den on Mondays at 6:30pm, Wednesdays at 7:30pm and Fridays at 7:30pm with new members always very welcome.