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professional fighting company called for hours but I would be useless that
Bellator and needless to say definitely
puts on a show for the crowd. With an
impressive amateur record he made
the decision to move up to pro. Ciaran
has fought at multiple competitions
including the IMMAFs (a week of fighting
over in Bahrain) and is one of the best
role models for anyone in the sport. He
is one of my favourite fighters to watch
and learn from, he had a conversation
with me and it definitely helped me
realize what I want to do in the sport,
not to mention to get the opportunity to
meet him in person, he is such a humble
lad to speak too. He also has a passion
for dogs and I got to show him around
the kennels and meet the dogs. It was
definitely my dream come true to meet
one of the fighters I look up to most. But
none of what I have achieved would be
possible if I didn’t have my Mam there
who constantly supports me even when
fighting and showing - so she definitely
inspires me a lot too!
What advice would you give someone
starting out in Junior Handling/Dog
Shows:
I would definitely say just have fun with
it, there no point focussing on how many
wins you get or don’t get, it’s only a
piece of ribbon, it isn’t life or death If
you win or if you don’t, come over and
talk to older ones or people who are
showing I promise we are nice and have
no problem answering questions or
helping you out, it’s just a fun class to do
and you will make friends that you will
have for your life time.
Have you in the past or have you any
interest in judging dogs in the future:
I have watched my Mam do it multiple
times and I could sit and watch judging
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / OCTOBER 2020
it, I know most of the breed standards
place people’s dogs would terrify me,
however I would love to judge Junior
Handling; I really don’t know why. I think
it’s more because it’s the person I am
judging and not their dog, plus I now
show in the breed ring but I am way
more comfortable in Junior Handling
and I know what to ask people and
what not to. I can understand kids being
nervous going into the ring and when
your dog or you are having a hard time
in the ring.
What are your hopes for the future
(both in and out of the dog world):
In the dog show world just for shows
to be up and running. I never thought I
would miss the early morning wake up
calls or arriving to a show in my pjs and
but physically standing there having to '#
half asleep but I miss it, I miss seeing
everyone, I made that many friends
past and now in junior handling and I
haven’t seen anyone, it’s hard not being
able to see them all because they like
a second family to me. I would also love
to make my Bullmastiff puppy up in the
future. She is only 5 months now and has
a lot of maturing to do but I am in love
with her. I would obviously love to win
the Junior Handling Finals but whether
that would happen or not I don’t know!
I would just like to get more involved
in the Club and the Show World, I love
helping out the little kids who are just
starting out; I remember being their age
and having no clue what I was doing,
without the older girls in it I wouldn’t
have had a clue.
Outside of the show world, probably
get more fights and go to more. I love
watching people fight especially from