Name: Brian Toomey
Grade: 7th Dan
Club: IJKA Ireland Hombu Dojo
Achievements: Brian Toomey is Chief Instructor of IJKA Ireland. Toomey has been practising karate for over 40 years,
having received his first lesson from Tom Abbernetty. As head of the IJKA in Ireland Toomey is constantly organising and attending
international seminars and championships which are always open to other karate organisations. He has successfully represented Ireland as competitor,
coach and as an International referee and is well respected on the International Karate Circuit.
Most recently Brian was crowned World veteran kata champion at the 2013 IJKA Open World Championships in Bulgaria
Toomey’s vision for IJKA Ireland is to foster the true spirit of karate-do and to develop international
relations under the guidance of Kato Shihan. “The organisation holds true to this vision by hosting and participating
in national and international seminars and tournaments all over the World. It is in this fashion that IJKA Ireland
hopes to encourage the growth and development of IJKA karate home and abroad. The organisation has an open door policy
and all karateka are welcome to participate in its events”.
Name: PJ Maloney
Grade: 5th Dan
Club: Slievenamon Karate Club
Achievements: PJ commenced his karate training in 1976 at Clonmel Karate Club, under the guidance of Michael Ormond Sensei (IKU). He passed his initial Kyu gradings with George Reilly Sensei (IKU) in 1977 and was first graded for 7th Kyu by Kato Shihan in 1978.
PJ was awarded 1st Dan by Kanazawa Shihan in 1983 (8th Dan SKIF at the time) and 2nd Dan by Kanazawa Shihan in 1988 (9th Dan SKIF at the time). He passed 3rd Dan under Kato Shihan in 1991 (8th Dan IJKA) and successfully graded for 4th Dan in front of a panel of senior Instructors (Asai Shihan, Kato Shihan, Yamaguchi Sensei & Koller Sensei) in Switzerland in 1998. He was awarded 5th Dan by Kato Shihan (9th Dan) in 2008.
PJ was one of the most prolific and well renowned kumite fighters of his day, winning countless provincial, national and international titles from the early 1980s through to 2007. Having already experienced much competition success he won his first international medal at the JKA World Championships (Asai fraction) in Japan in 1988, winning silver for team kumite along with team mates, Payne, McAuliffe, Roche, Merritt and Moylan.
PJ remained undefeated in major competition for a 6 year period (1991 to 1996), with his winning streak culminating in a gold medal win for individual kumite at the JKA World Championships in Russia in 1996. He continued to succeed on the international circuit for a further 10 year period winning a multitude of World and European medals annually from 1996 to 2005, including a memorable gold medal win for team kumite at the prestigious British Open Championships in 2000 - along with team mates Jason Noonan and David Highcock.
PJ retired from the competition circuit following a gold medal win at the IJKA European Championships in Turin, Italy in 2007. He continues in his role as kumite coach for the IJKA national squad and as Assistant Chief Instructor of IJKA Ireland.
Name: David O'Donovan
Grade: 5th Dan
Club: IJKA Ireland Hombu Dojo
Achievements: David O'Donovan has practiced Karate for over thirty years and received his formative training from Sensei Tim Hart. David currently holds the rank of 5th Dan and is an assistant to Irish Chief Instructor Brian Toomey Sensei 7th Dan. David studies in the IJKA Hombu Dojo in Fermoy and he is a member of the International Japan Karate Association Shihankai that is under the direction and leadership of Shihan Kato 9th Dan, Chief Instructor of the international organisation.
David has trained, instructed and competed both nationally and internationally and believes that IJKA fosters and develops a positive and progressive culture of learning that challenges and supports its members. IJKA International under the direction and instruction of Shihan Kato emphasises the development of Karate-ka both mentally and physically and as a Shotokan Ryu, or school, IJKA International demands that its students develop a fully formed understanding of this style of Karate based on the thinking and concepts that underpin its practice.
Championship Record:
WTKO Nationals - Team Kata Champion 2014
Cork Indoor Sports Award for Karate - 2009
IJKA Ireland Association Championships - Kata Champion 2007
IJKA European Championships - Team Kata Champion 2003. (IJKA National Team Kata Coach)
IJKA Irish Open - National Kata Champion 2000, 2001, 2003.
IJKA Irish Open - National Team Kata Champion 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
WSKF (World Shotokan Karate-do Federation) All Ireland - Team Kata Champion 1999
FSKD Open Championship - Kata Champion 1999
Name: Michael Keohane
Grade: 5th Dan
Club: Passage West & Ballinhassig
Achievements: Michael commenced his karate training under John McCormack Sensei at Frances Hall, Cork City in 1974. He completed his first grading under Kato Shihan at Brown Street, Cork in Feb 1975, where he double graded.
Michael completed a number of kyu grading examinations under Tomita Sensei, before being awarded Shodan by Enoeda Shihan in 1986. He went on to pass 2nd Dan under Ohta Sensei in 1988, 3rd Dan under Enoeda Shihan in 1993, and 4th Dan under Enoeda Shihan & Ohta Sensei at the infamous Crystal Palace Sports Complex in London in 1997.
The special friendship Michael fostered with Enoeda Shihan until his untimely passing in 2003 is one which he treasures dear to this day.
Michael was awarded the rank of 5th Dan by a panel of senior Japanese instructors (Osaka Sensei, Aoki Sensei, Kobayashi Sensei & Ohta Sensei) in Gilford, England in April 2006.
Amongst his most memorable achievements are training at the JKA WF Hombu Dojo and competing in the JKA WF World Championships at the sacred Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan in 2003. Along side his Daughter Aileen, Michael also represented his Country at the JKA WF World Championships in the Olympic stadium in Sydney, Australia in 2007. He was the eldest competitor in the tournament that year.
Michael is a much loved and respected karateka both home and abroad, who has instructed numerous students to the rank of Shodan and beyond. He has coached many students to successfully represent their Country on the International stage and one of his proudest competition moments was witnessing his Daughter Aileen win the prestigious Eneoda Cup in Crystal Palace in 2001.
Name: Joe Hunter
Grade: 4th Dan
Club: Passage West & Ballinhassig
Achievements: Joe commenced his karate training at Fermoy Karate Club in 1989 under Brian Toomey Sensei (7th Dan IJKA). He graded to the rank of Shodan under George Reilly Sensei in 1994 - the then Chief Instructor of the Karate Union of Ireland (IKU). When his family relocated to Cork City in 1994 Joe joined Passage West & Ballinhassig Karate Club, where he furthered his training under the guidance of Michael Keohane Sensei (5th Dan JKA), while at the same time maintaining his close ties with Toomey Sensei and the Fermoy Karate Club.
Joe successfully regraded for Shodan in 1996 under Ohta Sensei (7th Dan JKA) who also awarded him the rank of Nidan in 1998. Joe passed Sandan in front of a panel of senior Japanese Instructors (Ohta Sensei, Osaka Sensei and Tanaka Sensei) in 2004 and was awarded Yondan by Kato Shihan (9th Dan IJKA) in 2010.
Throughout his karate career Joe has won numerous provincial, national and international titles. His most notable achievements to date include a bronze medal for kumite at the JKA European Championships in 2003, a gold medal for kumite at the IJKA European Championships in 2012, the two silver medals he won at the IJKA World Open Championships in 2013 and the bronze medal he won at the Shotokan Open World Championships in Poznan, Poland in 2014. Joe is currently Club Instructor at Passage West & Ballinhassig Karate Club and is a member of the Irish Karate Team.
Name: Aileen Keohane
Grade: 3rd Dan
Club: Passage West & Ballinhassig
Achievements: Aileen commenced her karate training in 1989 under the guidance of her Father Michael Keohane Sensei (5th Dan JKA). She became a Shodan in 1994 when she successfully graded under Enoeda Sensei (9th Dan JKA) at the infamous Crystal Palace Sports Arena in London. Aileen graded to the rank of Nidan under Ohta Sensei (7th Dan JKA) and Sandan under Osaka Sensei (8th Dan JKA).
Aileen has succeeded at many provincial, national and international tournaments, with her most memorable participation being at the JKA World Championships at the sacred Budokan in Tokyo Japan in 2007. While still a Shodan she won the prestigious Enoeda Cup title in London in 2001. Having won gold in kata and silver in Kumite that year, she was crowned best overall female competitor.
She returned to Tokyo in 2010 and trained daily for two months at the JKA Hombu dojo. During that time she trained alongside the Japanese team and was instructed by the most sought after Sanseis worldwide; Ueki, Tanaka, Imura, Imimura, Naka and Osaka Sensei. Being named by Osaka Sensei during his weekly roll-calls is one of her proudest karate moments. Aileen is club instructor at Passage West & Ballinhassig Karate club and has coached many of her students to successfully represent their country at national and international level.
Name: Brendan O’Flaherty
Grade:3th Dan
Club: West Karate Club
Achievements: Brendan commenced his karate training in 1987 under Johnny Moylian Sensei at the Galway Karate Club. In 1990 Brendan joined the newly founded Corrib Karate Club.
Brendan successfully participated in competition for many years and was awarded the rank of Shodan in 1994 by George Reilly Sensei - the then Chief Instructor of the Irish Karate Union.
Brendan established West Karate Club in 2009. He passed Nidan in 2010 and Sandan in 2013 both under Toomey Sensei (7th Dan IJKA).
One of Brendan's proudest moments was witnessing his students, who he had instructed since 6 years of age, winning silver in both the team kata and team Kumite disciplines at the IJKA Open World Championships in Bulgaria in 2013.
Most recently his club won an unprecedented 21 medals, including gold in both the senior male and female kata disciplines, at the Shotokan World Open Karate Championships in Poznan, Poland in 2014.
Name: Paul Lynch
Grade: 3rd Dan
Clubs: Ken Bu Kan, Fermoy / Kaizen, Cork City
Achievements: Paul commenced his karate career in 1978 under the guidance in Tim Harte Sensei at the Olympic Karate Club, Cork. He left karate in 1983 to pursue other sporting interests before resuming his training with the JKA in 1998.
Paul was awarded his Shodan by Enoeda Shihan (9th Dan JKA) in 2001 and graded to the rank of 2nd Dan under Ohta Sensei (7th Dan JKA) in 2005. He achieved his 3rd Dan with Imamura Sensei (8th Dan JKA) in 2011.
Throughout his competition career, Paul has succeeded at local, provincial and national level and has represented his Country on many occasions. His most memorable competition experience was the bronze medal he won for kumite at the Shotokan Word Open Championships in Poznan, Poland in 2014. Paul is Club instructor at Kaizen Karate Club, Turners Cross, and is a member of the IJKA Ireland national squad.
Name: Ross Daly
Grade: 3rd Dan
Clubs: Ken Bu Kan, Fermoy / Kaizen, Cork City
Achievements: Ross commenced his training in 1993 and successfully graded to the rank of Shodan under Enoeda Sensei (7th Dan JKA) in 1998. Ross was awarded Nidan in 2001 again by Enoeda Sensei and successfully awarded Sandan by Kato Shihan (9th Dan IJKA) in 2011.
As a senior karateka Ross has competed in national, intervarsity and international tournaments. Highlights to date include: bronze medal (ind. kumite) in 2008 IJKA European Championships-Venice, gold medal (ind. kumite) in 2010 AIK European Championships-Turin, silver medal (team kumite) in 2013 IJKA World Championships-Bourgas and a bronze medal (team kumite) in the 2014 IJKA World Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Name: Stacey Kelly
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Tuam Karate Club
Achievements: Stacey has been studying Karate for just over 20 years. Originally starting at age 8; she initially trained for two years and reached her third belt. Leaving training for two years, Stacey returned at age 12 and has been training regularly since then. In 2009, she passed her 2nd Dan black belt exam under Kato Sensei, 9th Dan, at a course in the Hombu dojo in Fermoy.
Name: Frank Mc Dermott
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Corrib Karate Club
Achievements: Pending.
Name: Gerry Mc Sweeney
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Corrib Karate Club
Achievements: Pending.
Name: Brian Mulcahy
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Dungarvan Karate Club
Achievements: Pending.
Name: Ciaran O Dea
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Dungarvan Karate Club
Achievements: Ciarán has practiced Karate for twenty five years. He began his karate training under Sensei John Lyons (Karate Academy Ireland) in Dungarvan, before joining John Kelly Sensei (Munster Shotokan Karate Academy) at Dungarvan/ Kilmachthomas. In early 2007 he joined Shu-bu-kan Dojo (IJKA) in Dungarvan and in 2008 became a full time instructor at the club.
Ciarán graded to the rank of Shodan under Dermot Carew Sensei in 1993 and was awarded the rank of 2nd Dan in 2011 by Kato Shihan, 9th Dan. Ciarán also studies at the IJKA Hombu Dojo in Fermoy under the guidance of Brian Toomey Sensei, 7th Dan IJKA and is a member of the IJKA Yudanshakai, which is under the direction and leadership of Kato Shihan, 9th Dan. Ciarán is dedicated to developing and fostering the spirit of IJKA karate.
Championship Record: 1991 IMAC all Irelands - 2nd kata
1992 Munster all styles - 1st kata /kumite
1992 Munster Open - 1st kata / 3rd kumite
1993 JKA Munster - 2nd kumite / 1st team
1994 JKA championships - 1st kumite / 2nd team
1995 Munster all styles - 2nd team kumite
1995 Connaught all styles - 2nd team kumite
1995 Leinster all styles - 2nd team kumite
2012 IJKA All Ireland Open - 3rd team kumite
Name: Danielle O’ Donovan
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Passage West & Ballinhassig
Achievements: Danielle commenced her training in 1994 and successfully graded to the rank of Shodan under Enoeda Sensei (9th Dan JKA) in 2000. Danielle was awarded Nidan in 2009 by Ochi Sensei (8th Dan JKA).Throughout her karate career Danielle has competed several times at European level, and was awarded a bronze medal in kumite at the Enoeda Cup in Crystal Palace in 2002. Danielle won bronze medal for kumite in the Shotokan World Open Karate Championships in Poland in 2014.
Name: Eric Curry
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Passage West & Ballinhassig
Achievements: Eric commenced his training at Ballinhassig Karate Club in 2000 under Mike Keohane Sensei and successfully graded to the rank of Shodan under Ohta Sensei (7th Dan JKA) in 2007. Eric was awarded Nidan in 2010 by Ohta Sensei. Eric won a bronze medal for Kata at the Shotokan World Open Karate Championships in Poland in 2014.
Name: Jean O Connor
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Passage West & Ballinhassig
Achievements: Pending.
Name: Lisa Kerr
Grade: 2nd Dan
Club: Passage West & Ballinhassig
Achievements: Lisa commenced Karate in Ballinhassig Karate Club in 2005 at 9 years old under the instruction of Mick Keohane. Under the instruction of Aileen and Mick Keohane she passed her Shodan in November 2009 by Ohta Sensei (7th Dan JKA). She went on to successfully pass her Nidan on 9th February 2013 by Ohta Sensei.
She was appointed Junior Instructor by her Sensei Joe Hunter and Sensei Aileen Keohane.
During her Karate career to date she has achieved numerous gold, silver and bronze medals/trophies in local and national competitions. She has travelled to various JKA European championships over the past four years to familiarize herself with the competitions and this year will compete for the 1st time in the IJKA Open World Championships in Ponzan Poland.
Name: Steven Mc Dermott
Grade: 1st Dan
Club: Corrib Karate Club
Achievements: Pending.