The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Sri Lanka trip proves a big ‘hit’ for Kenmare boxer Barry Healy
FROM Kenmare to Sri Lanka, via Islington in North London, is not a route you’d expect most Kerry folk to know off by heart; but for 24-yearold, Barry Healy, it’s a journey he will never forget as the treasured memories of coaching Sri Lankan school kids to box and learn the ways of Queensbury rules will live long in his mind.
Barry is a native of Kenmare where he boxed as a boy for Kenmare Boxing Club before taking up an offer to coach in Islington Boxing Club - all thanks to fellow Kerry man, Sean O’Leary, of St Margaret’s Boxing Club, Tralee.
From his base in London, Barry was offered a trip of a lifetime last December and an opportunity to coach boxing at Narandenyia Central College in Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka.
Barry set out on his recent trip to the massive tropical island where he witnessed scenes of incredible beauty and abject poverty in equal measure. But Barry was also astounded at the polite and respectful way they were received, which included a visit from Sri Lanka’s Minister of Sport.
“I was given the opportunity to join another coach in a trip to Sri Lanka to coach boxing and set up a camp for 10 days,” Barry told The Kerryman.
“The school is in a town called Kamburupitiya where there is some very bad cases of poverty. The kids were very respectful from the start and on the first day we had a small ceremony in front of all the students,” Barry added.
The Narandenyia Central College holds over 2000 students but Barry and his fellow coaches could only cater for 120 in their boxing camp which consisted of three sessions a day in intense heat – one in the morning with the seniors; an afternoon session with the juniors; and then back for one final session with the seniors in the evening.
“The 10 days went very fast and it was an amazing experience. We felt as though we set a good example and routine in our methods of training for the kids and coaches.
“What I really enjoyed was helping them learn English through boxing and they progressed a lot after the 10 days,” Barry explained.
“On the final day there was a ceremony in which an incredible 2500 people turned up and they all sang their national anthem and presented us with lovely gifts.”
Barry continued: “We presented Islington Boxing Club t-shirts and they all got a medal and a certificate. We travelled across the country and witnessed some amazing scenes. I intend to return to the same school again, but this time for a month next February. But for now it’s back to Islington for a new season as a senior coach.”