Starting this year, every couple of weeks we wil strive to bring you an interview with a student who are experiencing positive times within their own sporting lives, whether that be representing Dublin, winning medals, or simply just scoring a hat-trick at the weekend.
We have a wide range of students who are excelling in sports in Donabate CC, and we will do our best to bring as many of them to your attention.
In the first edition, originally interviewed in October 2026, fifth year student Jack McConnell brings us through his recent success in Taekwando, where he recently represented his country at the World Cup, returning home with a fantastic bronze medal.
Having only begun practising Taekwondo in September 2022, his journey to the World Cup has been an impressive one. What started as an interest in the sport has developed into a passion, with countless hours of training helping him progress from a beginner to competing against some of the best young fighters in the world.
When asked about his inspiration, he revealed that it came from an unlikely source: Rocky Balboa. In particular, he was inspired by Rocky’s training scenes in Rocky IV, where the fictional boxer continues to push himself despite the doubts of those around him. The message of perseverance and refusing to give up has clearly stayed with him throughout his own journey.
Like any athlete, his progress has not been without challenges. When he first started competing, he found himself struggling against opponents of a similar age who held higher belts and had considerably more experience. However, through dedication and consistent training, he has developed to the point where he now trains alongside black belts and can compete with them. He recognises that he still has plenty of room to improve, but his progress to date has been significant.
The opportunity to compete at the World Cup came as something of a surprise. When his coach first approached him about representing his country, he admitted that he was initially in disbelief and thought his coach was joking. However, with nine months to prepare, he quickly realised the scale of the opportunity in front of him. He also recognised how unusual it was to receive such an opportunity at a young age, particularly as he was the only competitor at the tournament who did not hold a black belt.
His performances in both sparring and team sparring were a source of great satisfaction. He felt that all the hard work and preparation had paid off, particularly after securing victories over two Argentinian fighters in each category. These performances ultimately helped him earn a bronze medal at the World Cup, a fantastic achievement for himself.
When reflecting on his favourite memory from the tournament, one particular moment immediately stood out. He recalled landing a 360-degree turning kick to his opponent’s stomach, leaving the fighter winded for approximately a minute. It was a moment that gave him real confidence that he could go on to win the contest. His coach was equally impressed, praising the technique and suggesting that he could now be considered for more elite training opportunities, something he is hugely excited about.
Despite this success, the student has no intention of resting on his laurels. His immediate ambition is to become a national champion, but his ultimate dream is even bigger: to compete in the UFC and one day become the number one welterweight champion in the world.
For anyone considering taking up Taekwondo, he has some straightforward but valuable advice: stretch every day, practise the fundamentals, keep your head up and always look ahead.
From taking his first steps in Taekwondo in 2022 to winning a medal at the World Cup, his story is a brilliant example of what can be achieved through commitment, perseverance and self-belief. Everyone at DCC is incredibly proud of his achievement and we look forward to following his progress as he continues to pursue his ambitions.
