Paddy Power strikes as Patrick Kennedy takes chair at Tenbury Amateur Boxing Club (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Paddy Power strikes as Patrick Kennedy joins Paddy Brennan at Tenbury Amateur Boxing Club

2:00pm Friday 18th January 2013 in Sport By Ian Morgan

TENBURY Amateur Boxing Club is full of Paddy Power.

Head coach and founder Martin ‘Paddy’ Brennan says Patrick Kennedy has joined the ranks.

“Patrick has come on board as the new chairman and he’s a smashing guy,” said a delighted Paddy.

“Patrick’s already been to the club half-a-dozen times and he’s got drive and ambition.

“His dad, Joe, has done very well and he owns the world-famous Kennedy’s Construction company.

“We’ve just had 10 new pairs of sparring gloves donated by Kennedy’s Construction. Patrick’s partner, Lesley Peters, runs Box Communications, and she’s offered to maintain our website. It’s fantastic news.”

Kennedy has taken over the hot-seat from Ken Pollock and is the club’s third chairman.

Paddy has returned to work in the construction industry after a year spent looking after his wife, Rosemarie, who has been recovering from illness.

He confirmed that the boxing club’s annual dinner show will be taking place at Tenbury High School on May 24.

“The date and venue for our next show have been sorted and we’re grateful to the head, Stuart Cooke, and the deputy head at the high school,” he said.

Paddy said he planned to organise an international-themed show for this summer’s extravaganza.

“I would like to include people from Ireland so, on the night, it will be a contest between an England and Ireland select team. That’s the idea and, hopefully, I will be able to pull it all together.”

The Tenbury club now have around 16 registered fighters, including 13-year-old female boxer Sam Jenner.

“We’ve got five new kids coming through the ranks so it’s an exciting time for the club.”

Paddy paid tribute to hard-working child welfare and health and safety officer Liz Boland and coaches Pat Sloan and Matt Collier.

He also thanked the support from The Vaults pub, Raj from the Shamraj Balti House, Marcel Mehra from Tenbury Dental Centre and the masonic lodge in St Michael’s.