ALL IRELAND TITLE FOR TOM

Tom Greenwood is a very quite and unassuming teenager from Ballymoney, however the 13-year old is a very talented sportman and recently he won the All Ireland judo title after some very tough fights.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jan 2016, 07:00 BST
Ballymoney's Tom Greenwood who won the All Ireland titleBallymoney's Tom Greenwood who won the All Ireland title
Ballymoney's Tom Greenwood who won the All Ireland title

The championships, which were held in Belfast for the first time ever, saw the very best competitors from across the island of Ireland battle it out with Tom, a member of Causeway Judo Club, coming out on top to take the overall title in the advanced U32Kg class.

Tom’s coach Alan Ashcroft was absolutely delighted with his young protege and commented: “This was a very big accomplishment for Tom and it was also brilliant for the club.

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“Tom is very, very talented and has only been beaten three times since he started when he was eight years old. He has great potential and he showed just how talented he is when he won the all Ireland title. He had five very tough fights and the final went to the wire and was a real tooth and nail battle against the Irish champion.

“Tom has won a lot of things before and if he keeps going the way he is at the moment I will be surprised if he doesn’t get selected for the Northern Ireland team and hopefully the British squad.

“I will be taking Tom to the mainland in the near future to compete in the British Schools Championships. Normally you have to qualify for them at the Northern Ireland Schools championships but because he won the All Ireland title that automatically qualifies him.

“It’s important that he goes to England because that will get him recognised in the British system and could lead to him getting selected for the junior British squad which is no more than he deserves.

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“Tom is way ahead of the game and is an all round sportsman. Not only is he at the top of his game in judo but he is also the Northern Ireland Mini Motocross champion. He is a great youngster who is very talented but is also so modest about his achievments.”

Tom wasn’t Causeway Judo Club’s only success at the All Ireland championships. Samantha Wade won a Bronze medal and Logan McIntyre won Silver after a very tough fight.

The Club meet at Leaney Primary School on Mondays from 7-9pm and Iron Fist Gym, Ballymoney on Wednesdays (7.30-9.30pm), Fridays (7.30-9.30pm) and Saturdays (3-5pm). If anyone is interested in finding out more about Causeway Judo Club they can call in at one of the sessions or contact coach Alan Ashcroft on 07703 832870

Related topics:IrelandNorthern IrelandBelfast