Shotokan in Cork

harly1516

Hi just moved to Cork any one any info on Shotokan Im from the UK although lived in Cork a few years ago things were badly run then and Im wondering if anything has changed should I get involved or is it still the same old crew

Charlie3dan

There are a number of different groups so it depends.

Nearest shotkan clubs to city centre that I know of are

mayfield renshukan http://www.mayfieldrenshukan.com/

Silver Springs http://www.silverspringskarate.com/

I think there's also one on shandon street but I've never trained there myself.

If you not near the city, post your location and I should be able to tell you where is nearest.

harly1516

Thanks the club in Mayfield is SKI Ireland a really badly run organisation in my opinion, I was in Sardinia last year with the English squad and could not believe the standard and having spoke to some of the team there seemed to be a lot of dissatisfaction to their training and officials. Too many chiefs I think, if you know what I mean. Do you know if the JKA Ireland have any clubs in the area.

Thanks again.

Harley

PS, though some of the Irish Juniors were very good in Sardinia, hope they get more support from their trainers.

Charlie3dan

There are a few JKA clubs in Cork. I think there is one around the Wilton area but not sure. http://www.risingsun.ie/viewpage.php?memid=14[/url]

I was in Sardinia myself as part of the SKIF Ireland team. There are some issues with the organisation and as you say too many chiefs. The big problem was the squads being picked much too close to the competition so there was little time to properly prepare.
There is still some conflict within the organisation but at the end of the day what happens in the dojo is nothing to do with all that.

All I would say to you is there are some strong clubs in the organisation. I train in Bandon with Ray Payne, who won two golds in veteran categories in Sardinia and two golds in Japan the year before. If you are willing to go a bit further out of the city (only about 20-25 mins by car) I would highly reccommend the club.

Let me know if you would like details on the club or if I can be of any more help.
One more thing, I remember speaking with loads of the english team and they mentioned they might run a tournament in Nottingham in August. Any news on that?

Cheers

Damo W

harly1516 wrote: »

Hi just moved to Cork any one any info on Shotokan Im from the UK although lived in Cork a few years ago things were badly run then and Im wondering if anything has changed should I get involved or is it still the same old crew

Silver Springs http://www.silverspringskarate.com/

This is a great dojo, professionally run ( but not commercially ), traditional karate with open minds, one of the few (if only one) 7th Dan shotokan instructors in Ireland, facility is top class... sure you have the website.

harly1516

I saw Ray in the Kata Finals winning Gold, excellent, I have also seen Ray over the years, Crystal Palance early 90's stands out, a really strong Irish Team, but unfortunately speaking to the lads and ladies I know they have been let down badly through bad organisation and Sardinia is an example 100%. You said it's what happens on the floor that counts, but if you don't have people behind you, it is a waste of time. We watched as two ladies competed at one end of the hall, while their trainer and coach sat at the other end of the hall. Some of the senior lads we spoke too, were left walking around the hall, trying to speak to officials to find out when they were competing. This should have been the job for their officials, leaving the competitors to concentrate on their event. Head wrecking stuff I am sure. We can remember the Irish Team 15 to 16 years ago when they were really strong, we made great friends, with some special people, who would of been one of the top squads in Europe, I think something serious has gone wrong, and maybe a major shake up is needed or new training programme, to bring out the great potential that the juniors and senior teams obviously have.

Gavinkerr

One of the top clubs in cork is the Marian Hall, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork
times Monday and thursday 7 till 9
7 euro a night
This is were the 2011 european team 16 to 18 male team comes from if anyone is looking to start here is a great club to try

Zen65

harly1516 wrote: »

Hi just moved to Cork any one any info on Shotokan Im from the UK although lived in Cork a few years ago things were badly run then and Im wondering if anything has changed should I get involved or is it still the same old crew

Sensei Tim Harte still has his Olympic Karate Club in operation, as far as I know.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~olympickarate/index.html

Sensei Noel Casey runs a JKA club in Cork somewhere. I've never trained with him, however.

Given the choice, however, and if transport is not a problem, I'd opt for Ray Payne's club in Bandon.


Z