FOLLOWING the announcement that James Gallagher would return to action as the headline act in Dublin on February 23, the ‘Strabanimal’ is eager to show he is back to his best after suffering a shock first defeat to Ricky Bandejas in August. The 22-year-old Strabane native will take on Steven ‘Golden’ Graham at Bellator: Gallagher […]
World and European medals prove ‘Karate Kid’ Lucas is a rising star
STRABANE’S very own Karate Kid, Lucas McColgan, is only eight years of age but he has already earned three medals at World level and just a couple of weeks ago he added a European bronze medal to his incredible list of successes. The P5 pupil at St Mary’s Primary School has been practicing the martial […]
Denis achieves 3rd Dan status
DEVLIN Martial Arts’ co-founder, Denis Devlin travelled to Manchester on St Patrick’s Day to participate in a black belt grading run by the Cobra Martial Arts Association (CMAA). Denis was attempting his 3rd Dan in Shotokan Karate and after hours of extensive testing, which included several katas, full contact sparring and technical combinations, he finally […]
International medal success for Strabane Shotokan Club
By Chris Caldwell THREE members of Strabane Shotokan Karate Club enjoyed a successful start to their seasons at the seventh annual Ishoj Karate Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark, over the weekend, with one of them claiming a bronze medal. Twenty-five year-old James McFadden, a first dan black belt, was arguably the star of the show among […]
Castle K1’s Cara claims debut win
By Chris Caldwell A 12-year-old member of Castle K1 Kickboxing Club in Castlederg secured a stunning victory in her first ever ISKA (International Sport Karate and Kickboxing Association) full contact fight in the White Horse Hotel, Derry, on November 18. Cara Devlin, who only joined the steadily growing club a year ago, has showed impressive […]
Coach Kavanagh promotes three local combatants
SBG Strabane were delighted to welcome back SBGi head coach, John Kavanagh for a much anticipated seminar. Large numbers were in attendance and enjoyed expert tuition with John displaying some of his favoured techniques. The seminar ran for over two hours, which went down well with the highly appreciative practitioners.John awarded a promotion to SBG […]
Injury forces ’Strabanimal’ out of homecoming bout
A KNEE injury has forced James Gallagher out of Bellator 187 at Dublin’s 3Arena where he was to face American opponent Jeremiah Labiano. The 20-year-old made an announcement confirming a torn LCL and PCL on his Instagram account early this morning. While devastated that his homecoming bout has had to be shelved, Gallagher is determined […]
More medal success for Three Rivers members
THREE Rivers Shotokan Karate Club tasted more success as the past fortnight when members sealed titles on both the national and international stages. Eoin Crawford made the trip to Ballinasloe last weekend to compete for the first time in the Karate Ireland ONAKAI National Kata Championships and after a few great displays was crowned champion. […]
Gallagher praises Strabane support ahead of big fight
STRABANE Mixed Martial Arts star James Gallagher expects his vast throng of supporters to raise the roof when he faces Israeli Kirill Medvedovski in the co-main event of Bellator 173 in the Belfast SSE Arena on Friday night. The 20-year old unbeaten ‘Strabanimal’ said he has been blown away by the build-up and excitement in […]
The ‘Strabanimal’ extends unbeaten run
BY RYAN McALEER STRABANE’S James Gallagher extended his unbeaten professional record in comfortable fashion by submitting American Anthony Taylor in the third round in Dublin last Friday night. Just the Strabanimal’s second fight under the Bellator banner, the 20-year-old Tyrone man was handed the co-headline slot for the international mixed martial arts promotion’s 3Arena […]