‘Moville Mauler’ Darragh Kelly inspires next generation at Crana Karate Club

Local karate kids were treated to a mixed martial arts masterclass when professional MMA fighter Darragh Kelly visited Crana Karate Club in Buncrana last weekend.

The club, which trains every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning at Buncrana Youth Club, was buzzing with excitement on Saturday morning as children lined up to meet one of Inishowen’s most successful sportsmen. Young members proudly had their belts signed, posed for photos, and then stepped onto the mats to learn from a fighter who has made an unbeaten start to his professional career.

Kelly - who boasts an impressive record of nine wins and zero defeats - has had an excellent 2025, recording first-round stoppages in fights in the United States and France on the Professional Fighters League (PFL) circuit that have marked him out as one of Ireland’s rising MMA stars.

At just 27, his dedication to the sport and his humility outside the cage have made him a popular figure among aspiring martial artists across Donegal.

Read more: Burnfoot's Sam McColgan to hurl for Ireland at international Para Floorball tournament

On Saturday, the ‘Moville Mauler’ was happy to swap the glare of the cage lights for the laughter and energy of a packed dojo. Together with club head coach Sensei Seamus Gillespie, Kelly led both junior and senior members through a series of drills, demonstrating some of the techniques that have become the trademark of his fighting style.

Gillespie, who has trained and sparred with Kelly since 2019, said the visit was a huge lift for the young students. “The excitement in the place was unreal,” he said afterwards. “Darragh’s a great role model, so grounded and humble. He’s achieved so much through hard work and commitment, and to have him here on the mats with the kids really shows them what’s possible.”

Kelly, who will travel to Thailand shortly to continue honing his skills ahead of a busy 2026 fight schedule, said he got as much out of the session as the children did.

“Aw, it’s brilliant,” he said afterwards. “I trained with a couple of these same kids last year, and I can see how much they’ve progressed in that year. It’s brilliant to see, and the more young people who do it, the more the level and the standard will rise.”

When asked what advice he’d give to the youngsters at Crana Karate Club, Kelly reflected on his own sporting journey.

“When I was their age, I was playing football. Up until I was 15, I played with Derry City. Then, I fell out of love with it and wasn't doing anything. It wasn't until I was 17 or 18 that I got into MMA,” he explained.

“I always had an interest in it, but was worried that I was too old to start. Then, it came to the point where I felt I had nothing to lose and decided just to give it a rattle and see how far it goes by going all-in. Maybe these kids shouldn’t put themselves in that position where they have no other avenues!”

Kelly admitted that quitting football was a decision he now looks back on with mixed feelings. “When you're younger, you don't understand that motivation comes and goes. That was the first time the motivation ever dipped for me, and the first thing I did was pack it in,” he said. “Whereas now that I'm older and if I get that feeling from MMA, which I do occasionally, I know it's just a phase and you need to keep going.”

He added with a smile: “I'd say I probably only really want to go to about 10% of my sessions. But I always feel better when I get it done. I know it's not worth missing a session, because that'll leave me with a bad feeling so I just make sure to get it done.”

As the final photos were taken and the mats cleared, Kelly praised the work being done by Gillespie and the Crana club. “Seamus has got great technique, and he’s a great coach. He’s the right man to be in charge of this club. He brings great energy, and that'll help improve the kids. That’ll help improve the level for all martial arts in Inishowen, and it can only grow.”

For the children at Crana Karate Club, it was a Saturday morning to remember - a chance to meet a local hero, learn from a professional, and perhaps dream of one day stepping into the cage themselves.