BY MICHAEL O’LEARY
This year, Kilkenny Judo Club celebrated 60 years in existence since the club was found in 1964.
The Judo Club have had plenty of success throughout the past six decades with multiple All-Ireland Champions, and a multitude of competitors at International level.
Richie Hogan and Paddy Dwyer from The Kilkenny Club competed for Ireland at The World Championships in Vienna in 1975. while Kieran Foley finished a highly impressive 7th at The Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984 and also finishing 7th at The World Championships in Masstricht in 1981.
Paddy’s son Adrian was a very successful high jumper with National titles both at Indoor and Outdoor, and he competed at The 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
In 2014, Kilkenny Judo Club celebrated it’s 50th anniversary with the staging of The All-Ireland Championships
The Club train in the Martial Arts School in the Friary Hall in Friary Street having returned to their present location earlier in the year, and Training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
The Juniors train on Tuesdays between 6.30pm and 7.15pm, while The Seniors train on Tuesdays between 7.15pm and 9pm and on Thursdays from 7pm – 8.30pm.
Meanwhile, The All-Ireland Judo Championships took place last Saturday 14th December at The Sport Ireland Campus Indoor Arena in Dublin where Shona Maguire of the Kilkenny Judo Club won Silver in the Seniors Female U57kg category.
For further information on Kilkenny Judo Club you can check out The Kilkenny Judo Club page on Facebook or email kilkennyjudo@gmail.com
