Rio-bound David given boxer boost

Rio-bound David given boxer boost

27 July 2016

THE Downpatrick Boxing Academy is embarking upon another fundraising venture to assist a young footballer who will be joining the ‘Boys from Brazil’ in September when he takes part in the Paralympic Games.

Twenty-four year-old David Leavy — also from Downpatrick — is captain of the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy team and has been selected to represent Great Britain in Rio de Janeiro. David, who has recently returned from a pre-tournament training camp in Brazil, will be the first Northern Ireland player to play for GB in the Paralympics. 

He is set to make his Paralympic debut after first discovering seven-a-side football when watching the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The former St Patrick’s Grammar School and Queen’s University student, who plays for Rialta in the Belfast and District League, captained Northern Ireland at the 2015 World Championships and has scored an impressive 10 goals in 29 international appearances.

The local Boxing Academy is helping David with his preparations for Rio, with club official Emmanuel McMenamin delighted to be able to help.

Emmanuel, who already this year has raised money for a homeless charity and £6,000 for Knockevin Special School at a successful Its A Knockout event, hopes to raise money for the young footballer preparing for the adventure of a lifetime in Brazil.

“We are all delighted for David and it is a real honour for him to be selected to represent ParalympicsGB,” said Emmanuel.

“He is very down to earth and we are every proud of him. He has a free run of our facilities in Downpatrick, including the use of our ice baths, and we all hope he will taste success while in Brazil. What he has achieves is amazing and he is a very modest, down-to-earth person. We are delighted to be able to help him.”

On August 20, Emmanuel is organising a fundraising evening at Murphy’s Bar in Downpatrick with the help of Chris McCreesh of Our House Productions. The entrance fee is £7.

“David is currently in France as part of his preparations for Brazil and I know everyone will wish the best of luck when he is in Rio. It will be a fantastic opportunity for a young lad from Downpatrick,” continued Emmanuel.

“It is fantastic that a young lad who hails from the Model Farm estate is doing so well. He deserves any success that comes his way given his hard work and dedication and the boxing club hopes the August 20 fundraiser will be a great success.”

Emmanuel has thanked Chris McCreesh for his support and says if anyone is unable to attend next  month’s fundraising event they can make a donation by contacting him directly on 07756399837.

He added: We hope the August 20 event will be well supported and that many people will come along on the night to wish David all the best as he prepares to fly to Brazil for the Paralympic Games in September. I have no doubt everyone will be spurring him on when he arrives in Rio.”

Further details about the forthcoming fundraiser in Murphy’s Bar are available on the Downpatrick Boxing Academy’s Facebook page.