Battle of Birr IV delivers another spectacular night of Irish kickboxing
Birr fighter retains his WKO Super Welterweight K1 Irish Title
THE World Kickboxing Organisation (WKO) Ireland returned to Birr on Saturday, June 13th, as Birr K1 Kickboxing Club hosted its highly anticipated annual fight night, Battle of Birr IV, at the Marian Hall.
Now firmly established as one of Ireland's premier kickboxing events, Battle of Birr continues to attract the finest talent from clubs throughout the country. This year's event featured an action-packed card of 17 contests, including four WKO Irish title fights, with clubs travelling from Dublin, Waterford, Carlow, Tipperary, Westmeath, Limerick, Kilkenny, Clare and Offaly to compete.
The weekend began on the Friday morning when the eight athletes involved in the four Irish title bouts successfully completed their official weigh-ins ahead of championship action on Saturday evening. The remaining fighters weighed in on the day of competition.
Birr K1 proudly fielded 13 competitors on the night, including Ava Buckley, Owen King, Odhran Kennedy, Willow Pardy, Ben Ginson, Alex Sodowski, Miguel Mendonca, Adam Taharu, Arek Kwiatowski, Scott Carey, Filipe Nunes, Jack Kirwan challenging for the vacant Irish title and reigning Irish champion Conor Hynes.
Also on the same day Alan Ginson of Birr was competing in Dundee, Scotland, for the vacant featherweight WKO European Title.
Outstanding Irish Title Contests
The first title fight of the evening saw Luke O'Sullivan of Shannon Kickboxing Club, Clare, take on Rhys Buckley of Moate MMA & Fitness, Westmeath, for the WKO Cadet Flyweight Low Kick Irish Title. The young fighters produced a thrilling five-round contest at under 50kg, showcasing tremendous skill and determination. Following five highly competitive rounds, O'Sullivan was awarded the unanimous decision and crowned Irish champion.
Earlier on the card, Rory Mulhearne, Budo Martial Arts, Waterford, overcame Vano Garashvili of White Tiger Martial Arts, Clare. After weathering significant pressure during the opening round, Mulhearne turned the tide and secured an impressive stoppage victory in Round 2.
One of the standout contests of the evening was the vacant WKO Super Middleweight K1 Irish Title clash between local favourite Jack Kirwan Birr K1 and William Kelly of Top Pro Gym, Carlow. Both men entered the contest on four fight winning streaks on the kickboxing circuit and delivered a contest worthy of a national title.
The Marian Hall crowd was on its feet throughout five electrifying rounds. In an incredibly close encounter, Kelly edged the final round and earned a unanimous decision victory. Many in attendance described it as one of the best fights seen on the Irish circuit this year, and a rematch is already being eagerly anticipated.
The second co-main event featured Danny Melnuk of Next Generation MMA, Dublin, and Paul Maloney of DK1, Offaly, competing for the WKO K1 Irish title. Both athletes had worked tirelessly through the rankings to reach the final. After five hard-fought rounds in which neither competitor gave an inch, Melnuk was declared the new Irish champion by unanimous decision.
Conor Hynes Retains Irish Crown
The main event of the evening saw Birr K1 star Conor Hynes defend his WKO Super Welterweight K1 Irish Title against the dangerous Robbie Whitehead of Next Generation MMA, Dublin.
Hynes entered the bout carrying an impressive résumé, including WKO and ISKA national titles, and demonstrated why he is regarded as one of Ireland's elite competitors.
The champion started strongly, taking the opening rounds before drama unfolded in Round 3 when Whitehead landed a devastating spinning backfist that dropped Hynes heavily to the canvas. The Birr fighter beat the count and showed tremendous heart to see out the round.
The championship bout remained fiercely competitive through Rounds 4 and 5, but Hynes drew upon his experience and determination to finish strongly. A dominant final round sealed a unanimous decision victory, allowing him to successfully defend his title and remain undefeated in WKO competition.
While at the same time the Battle of Birr IV was underway in Scotland, Alan was co main event of the evening challenging local fighter Saul Kean of the Famous Skyaxe gym in Scotland.
Alan was well up for his first European title fight and was preforming very well in a closely contested match up.
After five tough rounds of action, the judges took a while to deliver the result and unfortunately Alan lost by spilt decision in a very close fight.
Dean Brummell travelled with Alan and did a good job cornering Alan. A huge congratulations goes to Dean for helping his team mate out.as their other coaches were flat out in Birr on the same night.
Birr K1 Fighters Impress
The evening in Birr also featured a host of exciting undercard contests involving Birr K1 athletes.
Ava Buckley was narrowly defeated by split decision.
Ordhan Kennedy was beaten by unanimous decision.
Willow Pardy lost a unanimous decision.
Owen King performed very well in a demonstration bout.
Ben Ginson won via Rd1 TKO.
Alex Sodowski lost by split decision but the fight was awarded fight of the night.
Miguel Mendonca fought to a majority draw.
Adam Tahraoui won by unanimous decision.
Arek Kwiatkowski lost by Rd1 KO.
Scott Carey won by unanimous decision.
Filipe Nunes fought to a demonstration draw.
Jack Kirwan lost a unanimous decision in the Super Middleweight WKO k-1 Irish title fight.
Conor Hynes retained his Super Welterweight WKO k-1 Irish title.
WKO Officials on the night were: Head judge Tony O Donnell, Limerick, Judge Aidan Whelan, Tipperary, Judge Howie Vincent, Clare, Judge DD Maher, Carlow, Judge Brett Egan, Waterford.
Head Referee Craig Sutton, Tipperary, Referee Tony O'Donnell, Limerick, light contact Referee Aidan Whelan.
A huge shout out to fight sponsors on the night. Please support these local businesses going forward because they support local athletes to achieve their dreams by competing against the best fighters in the country right here in Birr: Haverty's; Talbot Motor Factors; Kelly's Pub; Supermacs; Hynes Masonry Contractors Ltd; Market House Tavern; Clement Carroll Driving School; Birr Leisure Centre; Midland Attic Stairs; Marian Hall Committee.
Spot prize sponsors on the night were Secret Essence cash prize; Mulrooneys Birr (x 2); Horans Daybreak Birr; Hassetts Topline Crinkle (2x €50 vouchers); David Cullinane Butcher (€50 voucher); Supervalu Birr (2x €50 vouchers); Birr Leisure Centre (€30 Voucher); R.J.Barbers & Sons (donated set of earrings); David O'Meara's (3x sets of men's personal care sets); Organic shop Birr (3x€10 vouchers); J&M Rowland & Daughters Jewellers (€30 Voucher); Loft Café (sponsored lunch/breakfast for two with drinks & desserts).
A huge thanks to all the local businesses who donated in these tough times and that helped them run the WKO sanctioned event massively by supporting the Battle of Birr and giving the young fighters the chance to perform in their own home town.
The club hopes that club member and family members will support these local businesses going forward where possible.
Birr's next big tournament is the WKO World Kickboxing Championships in England.
Birr have five fighters selected onto the Irish kickboxing team by Irish kickboxing Team coach Raphael Creamer - Conor Hynes, Jack Kirwan, Scott Carey, Alan Ginson & Filipe Nunes.
Birr's fighters fly out from Dublin to Manchester on July 30th and will weigh in that evening and will compete on July 31st and August 1st against the best in the world.
Conor Hynes is aiming for four years of taking gold in the k-1 Category -70kg and becoming first Irish man to claim four in a row gold medals at the WKO world championships. He was the first to claim three in a row last year. His first year he was Rookies world k-1 champion in 2023 and has two years of senior world k-1 Champion 2024 & 2025. He can he claim four in a row and also become kickboxing champion back to back. Conor has entered five categories this year and will be tested to his limit.
Jack Kirwan looks to become sport boxing champion back to back and k-1 champion back to back..
Filipe Nunes won out the k-1 Rookies last year and also won the low kick gold medal to become the double champ.
Filipe, like Jack, has entered three categories this year.
Alan Ginson has entered four categories and Scott Carey has entered three categories.
The club wish their fighters the best of skill.
A go fund me for the fighters is set up online and support would be greatly appreciated.