Aoife is boxing clever with St Matthews club
By Maurice Garvey
TEENAGER Aoife Heavey was a fan of boxing growing up, seeing her big brother Killian in action many times inspired her to take up the sport.
However as a young girl, there was no club where Aoife could don a pair of gloves and engage in training, so she had to be content by practicing at home on Ballyfermot Avenue.
Aoife Heavey
“My brother was into it years ago and that got me into it,” said Aoife (16), a Caritas College student.
“No clubs had room for female boxers, my brother had equipment at home, so I just trained there instead.”
This was the case for Aoife until last September, when local boxing trainer Robbie Murray officially opened women’s facilities at St Matthews Boxing Club.
Murray had been trying for years to get funds for female bathrooms and changing rooms at his Drumfinn Road club – The Echo covering stories on this as far back as 2014.
It followed “years of campaigning, lobbying and fundraising,” according to Murray, who used a €25,000 grant from the Sports Capital Unit to help complete the works.
“The build includes a full female dressing, shower room and female toilets,” he said.
“Aoife always wanted to join a boxing club as her brother Killian had boxed there also. Opening the doors for female boxers in St Matthews Boxing Club was a dream come through for Aoife.”
Murray says the club now have seven female boxers on their books.
“We cater for everyone but the club is a great place to release stress, keep fit and meet friends. Aoife is hoping to enter her first competition this year.”
Aoife said there is a “friendly atmosphere” at the club and “all the coaches make you feel welcome and give you great support.”
Aoife was a speaker at the International Women’s Day event in Ballyfermot – her talk received well by the big crowd at the civic centre.
Murray said the club are interested in getting more coaching volunteers involved, in particular female coaches.
“If you have a few free hours during the week to work with our team of boxers contact me on 087 2780316,” he said.
