Champion jockey Johnny Murtagh realised a personal dream when he welcomed a huge crowd to the opening of a new boxing club in Kildare town on 19^th January.

Johnny, who was a keen boxer in his youth and won Meath and All-Ireland underage titles before switching his focus when enrolling in RACE at the age of 15, has been working very hard to get a club up and running in the town for the past six months and the official opening has provided a big boost for the young people of Kildare. Along with well-known local boxing coach (and RACE employee) Pat Phelan, he has provided the impetus to get financial backing, a suitable premises and a team of coaches together for this exciting venture. Staffing for the club will be provided through a FAS Community Employment scheme sponsored by RACE and it is hoped to develop further links with trainees and racing apprentices in the future.

The new club currently meets on Monday and Friday nights and is open to boys and girls from the age of six years and upwards, as well as men and women of all ages and fitness levels. According to Pat Phelan, the club will not just be about boxing: “It will be a fitness club as well as a boxing club so there will be something there for everyone. We hope to have our first tournament in February”.

The opening night was hugely successful, with a massive crowd there to meet with special guests world champion boxers Bernard Dunne and Katie Taylor. They proved a major attraction for the local youngsters and gave generously of their time to promote the benefits of their sport.

The racing world was well represented with Aidan O’Brien, John Oxx, Ruby Walsh and Nina Carberry all present to offer congratulations and encouragement on the night boxing returned to Kildare town after an absence of more than 50 years.

Picture shows Bernard Dunne and Katie Taylor getting to grips with Johnny Murtagh at the official opening as Pat Phelan looks on.