Offaly martial arts coach receives black belt award

It was a big weekend of achievement for Irish Grapple Head Coach Kieran Davern, who was awarded his second degree black belt by John Kavanagh, founder of SBG Ireland and coach to Conor McGregor.

Kieran, who opened Éire Grapple (formerly SBG Tullamore) in August 12 years ago, has been studying martial arts since he was a child, and in particular Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the last 17 years.

John Kavanagh, head coach and owner of SBG Ireland, awarded Davern his second degree black belt, six years after his first, at SBG HQ's annual European Camp, where Davern was giving a seminar.

John Kavanagh commented: “Following a fantastic seminar today it is a great honour for me to present a second degree black belt to Kieran Davern, one of Ireland's most successful Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes and head coach of Irish Grapple.”

Éire Grapple offers martial arts classes for children and adults, including BJJ, MMA and kickboxing, as well as CrossFit and fitness classes.