Talented Galway kickboxer on the trail of World title fight

Date Published: 16-May-2013

 EUROPEAN kickboxing champion Gary Manogue has certainly been making a name for himself in the sport on the international scene but on Sunday, May 26, in the Clayton Hotel, Galway he will be hopeful that a successful defence of his continental belt will rubberstamp his shot at the World title later in the year.

There are not too many fighters this side of the world who are anxious to step into the ring with the Castle Park native but, in saying that, Manogue will take nothing for granted when he faces the No. 1 contender for his Super Welterweight belt, France’s David Blais, at the end of the month.

For one, he knows little about Blais, other than his credentials. Secondly, Manogue, himself, is sure to be emotionally charged on the night given he will be dedicating this fight to his late father James while his eight-year-old son of the same name will also take part in an exhibition at the same event.

Speaking to Manogue, family would seem to be at the core of his being. He talks excitedly about his son James while he also chats about the passing of his late dad earlier this year. “My father, James, he passed away in January, so I will dedicate this fight to him. He came every place with me. He would come around for the weekend, hop in the car, and we would just head off.”

While his father will not be present at the kickboxing showpiece, Manogue will still command a good following, including his mum Helen, aunt Teresa Shoer, partner Nicole King, a big crowd from Castle Park and his mates from Pete Foley’s Black Dragon Kickboxing Club.

Amazingly, the 31-year-old’s talents for the sport have only come to light in the last five years, having previously plied his sporting trade on the soccer fields of the city and county with East United, with which he still occasionally plays.

“I just popped down to the gym one day and I did the beginners (kickboxing) course and started off from there,” says Manogue. “That was about five years ago. I was 26, so I started late enough.

“He (instructor Foley) then roped me in and it was about eight months after I started that I had my first fight. The fight was 71kg. I stopped my opponent with a head-kick, knocked him out in the second round I think. He was from Waterford, Sean O’Neill.”

The buzz Manogue got from that contest, especially the knockout, was something he won’t forget but any thoughts of claiming titles were still far from his mind. “I just took it one fight at a time. I went back training and then another fight came up and it just took off from there.”

In March, 2010, he got his first big break when the opportunity came up to fight the British holder and former World amateur champion Gareth Porter for the IKF Super Welterweight 5 Nations Full Contact Kickboxing title – although Manogue had yet to claim the Irish belt.

To some extent, Manogue was viewed as fodder for Porter but a right hook from Manogue squarely on Porter’s jaw ended the fight in the second round. Consequently, when Manogue fought Kilkenny’s Kayne Nelson for the Irish title two months later in Leisureland, he was in prime condition to outpoint his opponent to maintain his perfect record of ten wins, six by knockout.

By the end of 2011, Manogue’ status had grown, although his first defence of his IKF 5 Nations crown against unbeaten Welshman Mike Sandford from Swansea in the Menlo Park Hotel was far from comfortable. The fight went the distance, right down to the wire, with Manogue finally receiving the unanimous decision.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.