Sports stars meet Harryville youths

The event at Harryville Partnership saw boxers Eamon Loughran and Alan Philpott talk about their careers.

Alderman Stewart McDonald said he was pleased to have been able to invite Eamon and Alan along to talk to the Harryville youths at the Harryville Partnership about their respective professional sporting careers and their lives.

“Along with my colleague Cllr. Timothy Gaston we wanted to get the young people talking and interacting with people they could relate to,” Ald. McDonald said.

He added: “Eamon won the WBO welterweight boxing title and defended it five times, while Alan is currently the Lonsdale bantamweight champion.

“These two distinguished professionals came from working class backgrounds and rose through the ranks of their sports with discipline, hard work and dedication.

“It was great to see the interaction and reaction from the teenagers, as this was a chance to hear first-hand of what it takes to succeed.

“It is important for teenagers to know that if they are dedicated and work hard they can achieve – whether that is in sports, school or any other walk of life.

“I am grateful to both Eamon and Alan for giving up their time to come down to Harryville for the evening, everyone appreciated it.”