All About Cork: Irish teams’ successes at Taekwondo Championships

A delegation of competitors, coaches, and families from Bishopstown School of Taekwondo travelled to the Braehead Arena in Glasgow recently to represent Team Ireland at the 2025 Taekwondo International World Championships.

The competition is an open World Championships, attracting more than 1,700 competitors from 20 countries.

Bishopstown School of Taekwondo entered eight competitors representing Taekwondo Ireland and the Irish Taekwondo Council, with head coach Dermot Walsh, eighth dan black belt — who competed at the first Taekwondo International World Championships in 1988, and captained the Irish team in 1991, alongside coaches Sandra Walsh, sixth dan, and Pat Field, fifth dan; who are also experienced competitors in these TI worlds as far back as 1988 and 1991.

Success began for Taekwondo Ireland on day one, with junior black belt Syaheera Mohd, first dan, winning three sparring bouts to reach the final, ultimately taking home a silver medal.

Syaheera was a flag bearer at the opening ceremony, along with junior black-tag Beth Manning who competed at the World Championships for the first time.

Day two saw very strong performances from cadet competitors Sarah Field, third dan, Syaireen Mohd, third dan, as well as from senior competitors Syafeea Mohd, third dan; Zara Walsh, third dan, and David O’Sullivan, fourth dan. Alex Walsh, fourth dan, achieved the gold medal in men’s fourth dan and above patterns. Alex then finished off the day for the contingent, earning bronze in men’s middleweight sparring. Overall, there were three medals from eight competitors, and great performances from all the students from Bishopstown School of Taekwondo.

Preparation for this event took place continuously over the past years, with students entering competitions, and training several times a week, including weekends at the SMA Hall, Wilton. The club also participated in the World Championships in Coventry in 2023, and in Birmingham in 2018, learning and improving with each experience.

Congratulations also to the Leinster Taekwondo team who travelled with 30 competitors and earned 13 medals, under the guidance of Tom Thornton and Caroline Nugent, and to James Dwyer of Midleton Taekwondo who achieved silver in men’s points sparring.

Shine raises almost €6k

Members or the charity Shine A Light Suicide & Mental Health Awareness told The Echo they were delighted with the support received at the recent fundraiser held across two days at Dunnes Stores at the Bandon Rd roundabout in Bishopstown.

Vice-chairperson Mick Nugent said the charity had enjoyed two great days for its ‘Ride & Shine’ spinathon fundraiser at Dunnes Stores.

“We would like to sincerely thank everyone who had a stint on the bikes, all our volunteers, new and old led by Lisa Towler, for being on hand to chat with the customers, and hand out our materials and explaining what we do,” Mr Nugent said. “Such was the support we received, our total collection for the event was €5,800.50, and a special mention to the shopping centre for facilitating us.”

Return of adult classes

Bishopstown Community School’s adult education evening courses return for the autumn, with classes running on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, beginning on September 22. This year they are adding a digital marketing course to the wide variety of courses currently on offer.

Monday classes will include beginners pilates, introduction to Irish sign language, scrabble, and photography.

Tuesday will see courses including CrickHIIT, yoga women on the move, boxing, and volleyball.

On Wednesday, there is a digital marketing and social media course, an afternoon beginners’ bridge course, Spanish for beginners and improvers, and get to grips with your gadget.

A spokesperson said they were delighted to have the courses back at the school.

Most classes start at 7pm, and range in cost from €30 upwards. Early registration is encouraged, and further information is available by visiting https://www.bishopstowncs.ie/adult-education.

For more information, contact the adult education co-ordinator, Rebecca Milner, at email: aded@bishopstown-cs.ie.

Pyke Group returns

The Pyke Theatre group returns from its summer break tonight, holding its monthly get-together at Ballincollig Rugby Club, Tanner Park, at 8pm tonight, Tuesday, September 9.

All are welcome to an evening of music, song, drama and dancing. Admission is free and the theatre group will be selling raffle tickets at the door.

The group will have information about the upcoming Ballincollig Drama Festival, which will be taking place in October. The group’s members are described as “mad busy” rehearsing for the drama festival.

In keeping with tradition on the Pyke Theatre Group’s first night back, brown bread and black jam and a cuppa will be served. Members say it is their hope that new friends and old will come along next Tuesday night and enjoy a great night.

For further news of upcoming events, see the Pyke Theatre Group’s Facebook page, or keep an eye on this page over the coming weeks.

Free driver theory test class

If someone you know is learning to drive and needs help to pass the theory test, the Cork College of FET in Ballincollig still has places available on its free driver theory test preparation course, which starts today, Tuesday, September 9. Classes are from midday to 2pm. Call/Text/WhatsApp 086 8808057 or apply directly to https://tinyurl.com/4c9ck7t5.

GAA club weekly lottery

The numbers drawn in the Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, which was held on Thursday, September 4, were 2, 6, 13, and 31. There was no winner of the €16,000 jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners for club supporters, with €100 going to Diarmuid Corkery, €50 to Terry O’Connor, and €50 to Mary O’Donovan.

Ballincollig GAA Club has migrated its lottery to its club platform ClubZap. The new system mirrors the previous one and is played with 36 numbers, and all existing players with remaining credit have been moved across with their same numbers, plus their remaining credits.

For further information, see ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com.

The jackpot for this week’s lottery draw now stands at €16,200.

Al-Anon meeting

There will be an Al-Anon meeting — with AA participation — on Thursday, September 18, at 7.30pm, in the Ballincollig Community Centre, Station Rd.

Al-Anon meetings are for anyone whose life is being, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. The meetings are a safe space to talk about concerns and feelings. Listening to the shared experiences of others may help those affected to find the confidence they need to deal with the effects of another person’s drinking.

Anonymity is protected by the use of first names only, and anything discussed within an Al-Anon meeting is treated as confidential, including the identities of participants.

Regular weekly Ballincollig Al-Anon meetings are held every Thursday at 8pm.

Parking will be available at the community centre or at the adjoining Scoil Eoin car park, next to St Mary and St John’s Church. Confidential helpline: 01 873 2699. For further information, see alanonuk.org.uk.