Burnfoot girl eyes up karate world title

A young Burnfoot girl will be aiming to punch and kick her way to a world title when she takes part in the World Karate Championships in Italy next month.Denise Donaghy (17), daughter of Denis and Dorothy, will be one of eight competitors from Ulster Karate Foundation (UFK) taking part in the tournament being staged in Venice from October 14.Despite beginning a course in business studies at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, the Aileach Karate Club fighter is currently putting in extra training sessions for the event.The 1st Dan Black Belt, who was selected from 200 UKF hopefuls, has put in extra training sessions under one of Ireland’s top karate coaches, Gordon Smith, as well as her club coaches Sean Barron, Dermot McLaughlin, and her father, Denis.All are hopeful the former Crana College student will put in a top class performance. Indeed, Denise is among the favourites to lift the title - two years ago she was narrowly defeated by the then world champion in a bout many thought she had won.Speaking to the “Inish Times,” Denise said she was looking forward to the world tournament.She said: “I can’t wait. I have put in extra training with Gordon Smith, both in at Aileach Youth Club, and at his training camp in Louth. Also I have been training with Sean Barron, Dermot McLaughlin and my father, and I feel I am in very good shape. I hope it will be worth it. I would love to win it for them. They have been brilliant and have really put in the extra effort to get me ready.”Denise took up the sport at only four years of age and earned her first belt a year later. After that, she progressed through the belts, gaining her Black Belt 1st Dan last year, one of the youngest ever to do so.A world title medal would sit comfortably among a number of prestigious accolades already sitting proudly in her trophy cabinet, including the Ulster and Welsh titles, the latter recognised as one of the top tournaments in the world.Her father, Denis, said winning the title would be fully deserved because of the effort she had put it.He said: “I think she has a very good chance. If she performs to her capabilities there is not reason why she can’t win it.”Three fighters with strong Inishowen connections (members of Culmore Karate Club) will also competing in Italy - Glen and Dean Barron, and Dwain Robb, are the sons and nephews of Sean Barron, originally from Muff, who now lives just across the border in Culmore. Sean, Denise’s father and Dermot McLaughlin will also accompany the fighters.Meanwhile, a fundraising “Night at the Races” will be held in the Squealin’ Pig, Muff, on Friday, 26 September.