Fegan's students Taekwon-do it once more at Irish National's

ONCE again proving they are the best around when it comes to the way of the fist and foot are the many talented fighters of Cathal Fegan’s School of Taekwondo.

The metal willed medley of martial artists from the club did their school proud as they took to the mat at the Irish National’s which were held in Cork.

 One of the most renowned tournaments on the Taekwondo calendar the Irish National’s see only the highest caliber of Black and Red belts draw hands with one and other for a chance to be crowned the Irish national champion in their category.

Staying true to the clubs usual exemplary standard the talented troupe of practitioners gave nothing short of an outstanding performance proving that when it comes to the whole island of Ireland they are the ones to beat.

As eponymous club manager Cathal explained the highlights of the event were club headliner Aoife Loy retaining her title as Irish national champion as well as up and coming fighter Ignas Rimeikis being crowned king in the under 14 lightweight section.    

National pride

“The Irish Nationals were held in Cork.” said Cathal.

“The Irish Nationals are the highlight of the Taekwondo calendar for the year. It is only the elite students of Ireland, red and black belts, who can compete in it.

“This is the third year in the row that the Irish National’s have been running and Aoife has won it every year since it started. She retained her title in style. She had three fights in total, quarter final, semi-finals then the finals.

“It is tough going because she works 13 to 14 hour days every day. She has two jobs. The training is hard for her to get in so it is a relief for her to finish of the year on a high. Aoife is 26. In my eyes in Taekwondo terms this is your peak years. She works 12 to 13 hours a day and she goes to the gym at 5.30, 6.00am in the morning. It is tough going and she teaches Taekwondo with me every night as well. It is hard. Aoife is a former world champion and current European champion. This is what motivates here.

“Ignas Rimeiks won gold in sparring. He is a red belt fighting against the black belts. Ignas would be one of our up and coming students. He has been training since he was four years of age. To go in and beat two black belts is a great achievement for him. It was the under 14 lightweight section he was in. Ignas just turned 14 a couple of weeks ago. They all fought each other once, he won two fights. He is now the under 14 lightweight national champion.

“He is one of the new crop coming through so it is great to see that he went down their and won because it is a tough tournament.

“Ethan O'Kane, who is one of our world champions, turned 18. He went up a weight so he fought in the world under 16's. He fought and got to the finals but lost to the current champion of last year. He lost to a boy called Owen McDonnell who has fought in other world championships at senior level. This is Ethan's first year at that level because he turned 18 back in April. It is a hard transformation. He got a silver medal which is some achievement for an 18 year old to go into the adult section and go up a weight. He was disappointed with himself because he has the talent to win but it is all experience.

“A brother and sister from Silverbridge, Rea Murray and Darragh Murray both got to the finals. Darragh had four fights and unfortunately he lost to the boy who beat him last year in the final, a boy from London who came over for the Irish Nationals. Darragh has only turned 14 and is fighting under 18. It is a big jump. However he got to the final, won three fights and lost his fourth fight in the finals. The Irish Nationals is two rounds instead of one round. A normal competition would be one round. However it is two rounds so fitness is key. These two did very well, the brother and sister.”