PICTURES: Roscrea Homecoming for local MMA heroes

Darren Keegan
By Darren Keegan

Midland Tribune Senior Journalist

Published 16th Aug 2023, 14:33 GMT
The men of the moment - Conor Kelly, Ciaran Keeshan (medal winner) and Finn Bowe. Photos: PJ Wrightplaceholder image
The men of the moment - Conor Kelly, Ciaran Keeshan (medal winner) and Finn Bowe. Photos: PJ Wright

On Monday the 7th of August Premier martial arts academy hosted a homecoming at Mcs bar Roscrea for three of their members who returned home from the IMMAF World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

The three fighters, who are all members of Roscrea's Premier Martial Arts Academy, returned to a hero's welcome after putting on incredible performance bringing home lots of wins on the biggest stage in the World for Youth MMA.placeholder image
The three fighters, who are all members of Roscrea's Premier Martial Arts Academy, returned to a hero's welcome after putting on incredible performance bringing home lots of wins on the biggest stage in the World for Youth MMA.

The three local MMA fighters returned to a heroes welcome at a special homecoming event held at at Mc's Bar in Roscrea. Phtos: PJ Wright

Ciaràn Keeshan from Shinrone, Conor Kelly from Birr and Finn bowe from Cloughjordan qualified for the World Championships at the Irish Nationals back in March and were picked to represent Ireland at the World championships.

First up was Finn Bowe who put in incredible performances losing a close decision in his first fight. Winning his second fight in everyone's eyes and losing his three to a solid competitor from Tajikistan.placeholder image
First up was Finn Bowe who put in incredible performances losing a close decision in his first fight. Winning his second fight in everyone's eyes and losing his three to a solid competitor from Tajikistan.

Pictured above are the Premier Martial Arts Academy team (front) Raphael Creamer, Ciaran Keeshan (medal winner), Coach Adrian Elbert, Conor Kelly, Finn Bowe ( back) Jay Quinlan and Dylan Feehan. Photos: PJ Wright

Ciaràn Keeshan brought home a bronze medal after having 4 fights and 3 big wins losing out in the semi final to the eventual winner from Ukraine. Ciaràn put in amazing performances all day showing his fitness , skill all across his fights.

Conor Kelly had three fights, two wins and one loss in the Quarter finals. Conor picked up one of the submissions of the tournament with an anaconda choke in round 3 against Bulgaria.placeholder image
Conor Kelly had three fights, two wins and one loss in the Quarter finals. Conor picked up one of the submissions of the tournament with an anaconda choke in round 3 against Bulgaria.

Proud Parents Sean Og and Miriam Keeshan (who comes from Roscrea) with their son and medalist, Ciaran Keeshan. Ciaran brought home a bronze medal after four bouts and three big wins - losing out in the semi final to the eventual winner from Ukraine.

“We are very proud of the three lads who trained incredibly hard all year and put it all out there on the biggest stage of all”, Adrian Elbert, founder of Premier Martial Arts Club in Roscrea said.

"We would like to thank everyone for all the support and everyone who donated to the lads trip over to Abu Dhabi as the sport isn't funded by the Irish government, we had to do multiple fundraisers to get the lads over. The lads are back training hard for the next challenge which will the Irish International Championships in December."placeholder image
"We would like to thank everyone for all the support and everyone who donated to the lads trip over to Abu Dhabi as the sport isn't funded by the Irish government, we had to do multiple fundraisers to get the lads over. The lads are back training hard for the next challenge which will the Irish International Championships in December."

Pictured above is Shinrone's Ciaran Keeshan who received the official King's congratulations seen from the King of Roscrea, Paddy 'Flea' Kiely

MORE PHOTOGRAPHS IN OUR FULL PAGE SPREAD IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF THE MIDLAND TRIBUNE

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