Democrat Feature Article, August 2004
The I.W.K.R. has been in the Blackrock area for over ten years. They originally trained in the Fairways hotel. For the last six years they have trained in Blackrock Community Centre. The club currently has over fifty junior and fifteen senior members, ranging from beginner white belt to advanced black belt students. The coaching team consists of sensei (instructors) Tommy Marrett, Philip McGuinness and David Donnelly. Two of the country’s twelve nationally qualified referees (Tommy Marrett and Derek O’ Reilly) come from the club.
The quality and dedication of the coaching team and the effort and commitment to training of the club’s members have reaped tremendous results. The first nationally significant medals won by the club were won at the Irish National Open Karate Championships in 2000. These medals were won by David Whelan (then ten) and Niamh O’ Reilly (then five). Since then the club has gone from strength to strength. The club has become so strong that both junior and senior members have been selected to compete for Ireland in International competition. In this year alone, the club will have sent competitors as part of the Irish team to compete in tournaments in Italy and Germany. The club is also traveling to Italy and London to compete in inter-club competitions. Within Ireland, the club competes in various competitions throughout the year. As well as traveling to tournaments, the I.W.K.R. is host to the North East Karate Championships, which is held in Ardee in April of each year.
Photo 1
Jillian Mulpeter, Niamh O’ Reilly, Clara O’ Reilly, Catherine O’ Reilly, Leah O’ Hagan and Niamh Kirk at the North East Karate Championships, held in Ardee last April.
Photo 2
Tommy Marrett and Francis Pisa use bo (short bamboo sticks) to demonstrate weapons skills.
Photo 3
Club members who are selected to compete for Ireland in the World Youth
Games in Italy next weekend.
Back Row: Tracey Marrett, David O’ Donnell and Catherine O’
Reilly.
Front Row: Niamh O’ Reilly and Clara O’ Reilly