Waterford Martial Arts was founded by John McGrath in 2005, as the natural progression from his lifelong interest in sports & fitness coaching, combined with a dedication to kickboxing.

Having already earned his 2nd  Dan  in Ultimate Kickboxing, 4th Dan in Hapkido , 2nd Dan in Filipino Martial Arts, Kombatan, representing Ireland in rowing, winning silver at the Mexican Grand Prix Regatta and Gold in the Irish and Belgium Open Championships, and also presenting Ireland in kickboxing  in the European Championships in 2006 , John knows what it takes to achieve the highest levels in Martial Arts and other competetive sports.

John is also currently the  Irish High Performance Fitness Coach for the Irish Kickboxing team which competed in Serbia in 2007 giving its best ever performance by winning 4 medals at the W.A.K.O. World Championships.

John also coached Mount Sion , 2000 Munster champions and Waterford Senior Hurling Champions three times in a row, so has a succesful track record in fitness training and goal attainment coaching.
As a graduate of Waterford Institute of Technology , Waterford City , Ireland ) , John has an in-depth knowledge of the scientific under-pinning of training in all areas of sport.

Sensei Pat Evans
Tramore, Manager & Instructor

Born in Waterford in 1975, Pat grew up in Lismore Park and attended Mount Sion Primary and Secondary School.  Even though Pat’s family sporting history has strong ties with both Mount Sion and Waterford Hurling,  Pats interests lay elsewhere.

He began swimming from the age of 5 with the Waterford Crystal Club, earning 2 Munster medals.

At age 9, together with some friends he joined Waterford Crystal Basketball Club where he played for 8 years, taking part in National Competitions at various levels.

In 1998 he became a founding member of Blackwater Basketball Club, Ferrybank, where he coached both the Junior and Senior teams for 8 years as well as playing on the senior team.

Unlike most students of Martial Arts, Pat began his training relatively late.
He came to Waterford Martial Arts as a student in 2005 where his coaching talents were quickly recognised and he began teaching martial arts full time in 2006.

Pat currently holds a Black Belt in Ultimate Kickboxing, as well as studying Filipino Kombatan, Hapkido and Irish Stick Fighting.

Pat philosophy is that no matter what age or size you are or what limitations you may be perceived to have, you can gain something worthwhile from sporting activities as long as you have the right attitude and people supporting you.

SENSEI DARREN FENNESSY
Park Rd., Waterford, Manager & Instructor

Darren Fennessy has been training in martial arts since 1990. He began instructing as a junior instructor in 1993, fulfilling his ambition to pass on his knowledge of karate to others and has been doing so ever since. By this time, Darren had already competed in numerous national tournaments and taken home many titles in both kata and kumite as a junior.

In 2000 Darren competed in the 7th SKIF World Championships with the Irish Squad and went on to compete in many more tournaments around Europe and the world. Darren is currently a 3rd Dan in Shotokan karate and is always eager to expand his knowledge of the martial arts. He regularly attends seminars in Ireland and internationally as well as keeping up with his own rigorous training routine.

Darren Fennessy has joined Waterford Martial Arts team as Instructor and Manager of Park Rd, Waterford. Darren will also be giving Shotokan Karate classes in the Park Rd on Tuesday and Thursday at 7.15 pm.

MR MICHAEL O' KEEFEE
Dungarvan, Manager & Instructor

SENSEI JOHN FITZGERALD
Instructor

Schooled in Ballygunner Primary school and De La Salle Secondary School. John Fitzgerald then joined navy at 18 years of age  in 1999 where he qualified as a weaponary and explosives specialist 2000.
He was in charge of all ships weaponary and led a crew of 3 specific to weapons on board the Naval vessel L.E Aoife. John was honorably discharged from navy in 2002 as an Able seaman gunner.

John began his  Martial Arts training in 2004 and  joined Waterford Martial Arts in 2005 and graded for his Black Belt in Ultimate Kick Boxing 2008.
Also studies Shotokan Karate, Kombatan,  Hapkido and holds a high interest in many other styles.