News that the boxing club in Ballinrobe could soon have a new home has been welcomed in the south Mayo area.
Local councillor and president of the club, Patsy O’Brien, has expressed his delight that the Court Services has agreed to hand over its building on Main Street to Mayo County Council. Some months ago, Cllr O’Brien, following numerous discussions with the committee of the club, pinpointed the building as being ideal for the needs of the group. After contacting the county manager, Peter Hynes, and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, it emerged funding had been made available through the Department by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association which could be made available to the club for the restoration of the premises if it could obtain a permanent home.
The club had initially trained at the old Town Hall, which was condemned and knocked in the 1980s. From there it moved to Station Road, where it rented a premises, and a number of years ago moved to the Scouts Den on the Kilmaine Road where it shares a building with two other groups.
Minister of State Ring has also given his full backing to the club, which next year will celebrate its 80th birthday, and said that he had high hopes the council would be able to give the building to the club to train their 30 and upwards budding young pugilists.
Cllr O’Brien said: “I am thrilled this project is making some progress, and as president of the club I am delighted that we found a suitable premises for the club in the centre of the town. They have brought much success to the area recently with seven national titles and a European silver medal, which in itself is no mean feat. I now hope that we will be able to move on with this as quickly as possible and that the club will soon have its permanent base up and running.”
