At The Edenderry Tournament

On Sunday, May 6th 2012, having being invited by Sensei Gerry McCarthy, Chief Instructor of the Edenderry Shotokan Academy to participate in his club's first ever tournament, two squads of young people from Zanshin Kinnegad and Zanshin Portarlington, arrived at Edenderry Boxing Club ready for action! The Portarlington group comprised Victoria Chinova, Oisín Henchy, Dylan Cahill, Brian Slevin, Rachael Slevin, Scot Bolton, Alex Bolton, Shona Mulhern, Megan Redmond and Billy Hollywood. They were accompanied by their coach, Sensei Paul Thackaberry, and by Zanshin senior instructors Sensei Gerard Walsh, Sensei Keith Walsh and Zanshin seniors Ollie Henchy, Fergus Fenlon, Brian Bolton and Albert Henchy. Here's a snapshot of some of the Portarlington squad!

The Zanshin Kinnegad squad comprised Daniel, Conor and Emma Crowe, Matthew, Aaron, Louise and Conor Darcy, Muireann Ní Fhearghail, Cormac and Liam Ó Fearghail, Kenny, Michael and Sean Okeke, Chloe Coyne and Sean Govan. They were accompanied by Senseis Liam Darcy and Proinsias Ó Fearghail and Zanshin senior Peter Govan. Here's the Kinnegad squad with Sensei Liam:

the tournament began just after 12.00 PM and ended just before 6.00 PM. We fought and performed our katas against a tough opposition from Edenderry and Tullamore dojos. At the end, we were really happy with how all our members did - not just those who won medals. You all showed great spirit and etiquette and made all of us VERY proud. Here is a list of those who won an award in different categories:
Kata: Emma Crowe (2nd) Conor Darcy (3rd), white/orange belt kata, Conor Crowe (2nd) red/yellow belt kata, Muireann Ní Fhearghail (3rd), Aaron Darcy (2nd) Matthew Darcy (1st) green/blue belt kata, Aaron Darcy, Matthew Darcy, Conor Crowe, Daniel Crowe (winners, team kata)
Kumite: Victoria Chinova (2nd) under 7 years  kumite, Shona Mulhearn (3rd) 8-11 years kumite, Kenny Okeke (1st) 12-14 years kumite, Matthew Darcy (1st) Aaron Darcy (2nd), Conor Crowe (3rd) Daniel Crowe (3rd) over 14 years kumite. Here's a snapshot of a tired but happy group at the end of the tournament! Special awards were also presented to Chloe Coyne (Kinnegad) and Victoria Chinova (Portarlington) for exceptional spirit.

Once again, well done to all. You did us all proud yet again. A special thanks to the parents who gave up their Sunday to accompany our kids - it was greatly appreciated. Thanks to Sensei Gerry and his Edenderry club who gave us a great day out and lots of tough competition. Finally, thanks to Senseis Gerard Walsh, Keith Walsh, Paul Thackaberry, Liam Darcy and Liam Gorman for all their hard work refereeing on the day. Thanks also to Ollie and Albert Henchy for scorekeeping and time-keeping. You can see more photos by clicking on our "Photos" page.