Fergal McKenna 3rd Dan first combat sport was boxing, he started at the age of 11 and continued to box right up to 19 years of age. Fergal won many titles while boxing which left him with a good foundation to move over to the art of karate, where he has been training from the age of 20 to present day.

Sensei, Bill Creasey (SKFI) was his first Instructor who guided him to black belt, where he graded under Andy Sherry, Frank Brennan and K Enoeda. With diligent training he was then selected to compete in the JKA world championships in Japan 2000 and competed in the kumite events, “ kumite was my game having been in the boxing world kata always played second fiddle to me”

Over the next few years he competed in grand slam events in the KUGB representing Ireland, Then he was to compete with the Karate Union of Ireland (KUI) under the instruction of sensei Tommy McGrane and Sensei Paul Hickey. International events that he was to represent his country in were ESKA Spain 2004 in kumite and team kata. The JKA European championships in Norway 2005. The WSKA world championships in Chicago 2005. The ESKA European championships in Poland 2005.

Fergal Retired from competing at the age of 39 bowing out winning the KUI national kumite championships in May 2007.

Fergal has also trained with many great instructors from all over the world, Harry Cook, Vince Morris, Patrick McCarthy to name a few and also many top JKA instructors

He has been training with Hanshi Patrick McCarthy from 1997 which has really expanded his view and knowledge in the art of karate!