Rilion Gracie Ireland – BJJ/MMA club, based in Letterkenny & Donegal Town, took part in the prestigious, Irish Nationals BJJ tournament, which was held for the first time in Ireland, on Sunday 6th Nov 2016, at the Aura Leisure Centre, In Letterkenny, Co.Donegal,with over 250 competitors in total, and the Donegal based clubs swept the board with numerous medals from the Gracie Elite Team, and won the best overall team award as well.
2016 Irish National Champions , from Rilion Gracie BJJ/MMA , are William Timoney (Laghey), TJ McMenamin (Convoy), Stephen McGlynn (Ramelton), Raymond Hultman (Letterkenny), Igor Dedovs (Ardara), Niall Timoney (Donegal Town), George Henderson (Donegal Town),Francie McGinley (Letterkenny), John Brown (Derry), Marcus Monaghan (Donegal Town), Jevenjis Karakins (Ballybofey), Edgar Gallis (Letterkenny), to name a few. There was numerous other silver & bronze from other competitors, ranging from Juvenile, Adults, & Masters divisions. Rilion Gracie Ireland, is run by BJJ Black Belt, Ramelton native Brian “Barney” Coyle.
The Letterkenny branch is Donegal’s only full time BJJ / MMA club, with an affiliate club in Donegal Town, which operates out of DT Fitness gym, run by BJJ brown belt, Bryan Gorman. With the increased success of MMA Stars Conor McGregor & Donegal’s own , Joe Duffy, in the UFC, grappling & BJJ, is becoming more popular than ever before, and is integral as part of any successful overall self defence art, and Donegal has one of the top teams in Ireland, for people to learn. The Letterkenny & Donegal Town clubs both hold kids classess as well in an ego free, and safe environment for all.