Ennis fighter in national team

Ennis Karate got a big boost this week when 19-year-old Conall Tunney was drafted into the Irish senior men’s team that fought in the Four Nations or ‘grand slam’ tournament in Dublin City University at the weekend. The call-up to the eight-man panel came on the back of the good form that Tunney has shown in a number of competitions.

The all-style event, is fought at senior level between teams from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. It is fast becoming the most prestigious day in the Irish karate calendar and this year the overseas teams featured two reigning WKF world champions and a number of medal winners at European level. “It’s just a huge honour for Conall, for the club and for Clare karate in general, to have one of our own involved at such a high level,” said Ennis sensei Jim Bradley.
The Clare fighter was given the honour of leading the Irish squad out at the opening ceremony and from the very first bout of the day, the action was hard-fought and exciting.
The Irish got off to a flying start, crushing their Welsh opponents in the first match. In the other half of the draw, a powerful Scottish team pushed England aside with surprising ease. When Ireland narrowly defeated England in round two, it became clear that the grand slam title would be decided by the final round clash between the Irish and the Scots. As matters turned out, Scotland proved too strong and the home team had to settle for second place.
“It was a great experience to be on a squad with fighters I have looked up to for years,” said Tunney.