Mayo natives win national kickboxing titles in Derry
Galway Black Dragon fighter Patrick Birrane from Belmullet – who currently lives in Rahoon and is hoping to study general science in the University of Galway – won the men’s ISKA Irish Open -75kg national kickboxing light title in Derry at the weekend.
He wasn't the only Mayo native wasn't the only Black Dragon fighter to impress in Derry either.
Eddie O'Reilly, another Belmullet man who is currently residing in Forster Street, Galway, is a University of Galway computer science graduate and currently working as a software engineer.
Eddie also fights out of Black Dragon Gym and won the senior men’s -85kg K-1 light All-Ireland title in Derry on Saturday. He won the quarterfinal by TKO, the semi-final by referee stoppage, and the final by judges' decision against a 6’ 6” Derry man.
Two other Black Dragon fighters made waves in Derry too. Giulia Comini from Italy has been studying and working in Galway for several years now and currently lives in Galway’s west end. She completed her PHD in neuropharmacology in University of Galway last August and is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the transplantation and treatment of stem cells and hydrogels for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.
Giulia won out the senior ladies All-Ireland -65kg K-1 title at the ISKA Opens on Saturday in Derry. Her next fight is scheduled for May 18 in Rome, and she will be accompanied by her coach Pete Foley and fellow Black Dragon fighters Darren Van Strien from Rahoon and Corey O'Malley from College Road in Galway city, who will make his pro debut.
Faith Foley from Annaghdown (daughter of Black Dragon coach Pete Foley) is currently studying global languages in the University of Galway while also working part-time as a sports adviser in Elverys Sports.
Faith, who hadn’t competed since 2019, won the senior ladies All Ireland -60kg K-1 light title by knockout in the first round on Saturday in Derry.
All four fighters can be seen in action in Galway's Ardilaun Hotel on September 20 this year.