Topic: Cathal Byrd YouTube page

[cathal byrd]

Hi all.

Just started a YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/CathalByrd . Please feel free to comment on lifts, technique suggestions etc...


Cathal.

[Tom Sherwood]

cool vids!
is weightlifting gaining more popularity in Ireland?

[Colin K Bell]

Its dying in the north of Ireland. For a variety of reasons. I would say that if the likes of Cathal were welcome in public gyms in N Ireland, it would inspire a new crop of lifters! I "train" alone in my shed, and the clubs are underground, hidden from public view in sheds/old garages etc. The public gyms and leisure centres dont like chalk or weights dropping etc

[cathal byrd]

Thanks Tom.

As Colin said, there are a lot of obstacles for Irish weightlifting to overcome, particularly in the North, for various reasons. But Irish weightlifting has definately been going through a very positive period over the past few years due to younger athletes taking up the sport, and this has resulted in Irish weightlifters becoming more competitive internationally, national records being set, more opportunities to work with coaches etc and hopefully this progress can continue for some time to come.

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Cathal,
  Awesome training center.  Where is it?  How many lifters do you have in your area? 

  From a technical standpoint, you are way out of my league, so when I learn more, I'll comment.

All the best,
 Arden

[Pete_Stewart]

I agree with Cathal, Irish weightlifting is definitely improving both in terms of numbers of lifters and their respective performances and also in the support structures. 

In relation to Northern Ireland I suspect things will be improving as the way the sport is governed up North is going through a transition which I only see as a positive step forward.  The clubs are not 'underground' and a list of clubs in Ireland can be accessed at the Irish Weightlifting Forum.  I agree most gyms are privately owned (which has both pros and cons) but it is up to all club (or in your case a shed!) owners to try and recruit new people to the sport. There are also relations being developed with the local Universities which have allowed for better facilities for squad sessions and future competitions.

With the increase in youth and new people from a range of different backgrounds coming to the sport I can only see a brighter future.

[cathal byrd]

I train in the University of Limerick Sports Arena in Limerick, a city in the south of Ireland. It would be the best sports complex in the country along with the University of Jordanstown in Belfast which is in the north of the country. There are about 7 active lifters in our club, UL Weightlifting Club, which may sound small but we're actually one of the biggest clubs in Ireland! There are about 7 weightlifting clubs in Ireland, spread throughout the country.

[cathal byrd]

All you have said is quite right Pete, things are certainly on the up and I do think they are making progress up north.