April Test Issue 2 April-May 2013 | Page 26

CLUB PROFILE ESKER AMATEUR BOXING CLUB Esker Amateur Boxing Club were formed in April 2012 by Ed Griffin and Martin O’ Connell. Ed was also a founder member 5 years previously with Lucan Boxing Club and served as secretary and coach with that club. Griffin decided to set up Esker to cater for the demands of young people in the Lucan area for a sporting outlet. Having got initial funding from club president Eddie Butler, the Esker ABC was on its way. Since its inception Esker has gained over 40 permanent senior and junior members ranging all the way from underage to intermediate/senior standard. The club has had approximately 7 shows since its inception and has had Tyson Fury attend one of its shows which have attracted clubs from all over the country. Griffin is also heavily involved in setting up Dublin youth teams. Aaron Mc Grane, Claudiu Munteanu and Adrian Dolan all represented Ireland in Manchester in November and the club is travelling to England for the Senior Haringey Cup competition in June followed by a junior trip to Blackpool that month also. Esker ABC travelled to New York to face the New York Athletic Club on 14th March 2013. 9 bouts were decided with close calls in most of them. Aaron Mc Grane was in against the 3 times New York Golden Gloves champion, Brian Ceballo who missed out on the London Olympics by 1 bout. Both men gave it their all and Mc Grane was unlucky to come out on the end of a majority decision. Adrian Dolan was robbed of a decision against a Tajik boxer who is on the verge of turning professional. Dolan had him on the canvas twice but the decision did not go his way. Rob Flynn, Evan Walker, Peter McCabe, Joe Farrell, Dylan Ward, Peter Tully all boxed fantastic on the night. St Michaels Athy boxer, Tommy Sheehan boxed Tommy Kehoe of the NYAC on the night and was unlucky not to take the decision, a fact acknowledged by the 1000 strong partisan crowd in attendance. Absolutely fantastic corner work by Esker coaches Martin O’ Connell, Daithi Mc Cabe and Mick Kelly on the night. The night would not have been possible without the help of Superquinn Lucan, club president Eddie Butler and O’ Neills Bar Lucan. A huge mention to NYPD detective Terry McGee, an old friend of the club for setting it all up with the New York Athletic Club. On Saturday 16th Esker BC marched at the front of the St Patricks Day parade in New York as guests of the NYPD and it was a fantastic experience for all. Esker return to New York next year and host the NYAC in Ireland in September 2014. This is an annual event for Esker ABC. If you would like any further information regarding Esker Amateur Boxing Club you can contact Ed Griffin on 085-7480207 26 MONTHLY