Thomas Hardwick shows us... Hard Work gets you places

(Photo Belongs to the NotreDameWebsite)

Back in 1920's the New York press coined the nickname 'Fighting Irish' as a characterization of the Notre Dame athletic teams. The New York Daily News columns sensationalized qualities such as determination and tenacity by attaching them to the high performance athletic capabilities. Harking back from the famine years, the mainstream American psyche was once more getting used to the association of hard work and endurance with all that was Irish in the U.S.A. As part of my own personal quest for Irish Young Bucks making their mark in New York, I crossed paths with another home away from home Dubliner; Thomas Hardwick. As Ireland's latest example of how endurance and drive can help one climb the ladder stateside, Hardwick is showing us all how hard work yields a fruitful harvest.  A bricklayer by trade, Thomas joined the flocks of Irish forced to seek work abroad when the recession hit the construction industry. Throughout his youth and into his early adult years his love for his local North Dublin community had long been established through his commitment to playing for St. Vincents G.A.A team. However, like many young Irish, he headed for the United States via Australia to see what lay beyond the Irish economically depressed soil.  

John Duddy and Thomas Hardwick (Photo Belongs to OldWorldBoxingPhotostream)

'Golden Gloves' Champion March 2010...
According to the Irish Echo Hardwick was the first native Irish fighter in recent memory to win the New York Daily News Golden Gloves title. Press reports from the March 2010 amateur bout tell us how Hardwick found himself on the floor in the first round. Following through with his goal of dedicating a win to the memory of home, Hardwick came back with a bang. In the end, judges did not deny a 3-2 win to the Dublin athlete.

Hardwick V Walker (Photo Belongs to OldWorldBoxing.com

The Young Buck Behind the Fighter... Hardwick has been moving back and forth between Dublin and New York to train, work and play Gaelic football. Back home he has not forgotten his roots. Coolock school boxing coach, Joe Vaughan keeps Harwick in tune with his local community. In December last year the  Dom Savio Youth Club for physically and mentally challenged young people at Colaiste Dhulaigh gave Hardwick the honor of presenting funds raised from a local 'skipathon' to the club.  

More recently, in New York  The Cuckoo's Nest Irish bar in Queens hosted a Shave or Dye Irish Cancer Society fundraiser. Along with many others who shaved off their locks and dyed their hair crazy colors for sponsorship, Hardwick played his part in raising over $5,000 for the Irish Cancer Society. The man behind the boxer appears to be well respected in both New York and Ireland amongst the young Irish community and athletic peers alike. On Irish site Boards.ie, I came across posts about Hardwick stating 'He is a good guy, grounded with no ego/bull****'
What is Next for this Young Buck?... 
Since his Golden Gloves win in 2010, Hardwick has had five pro fights with 2 K.O's. On both sides of the water he has managed to keep up ties with both Ireland's and America's finest boxing trainers and promoters. This young buck is showing us all that remaining open to new challenges keeps us moving forward on the road less traveled. Thomas is known to have suffered great loss in the run up to his first ever big win. Despite having only a small crowd to cheer him on, perseverance kept him focused in the ring. Having publicly dedicated his successes to close family and friends, there is no doubt that his love for Ireland continues to shine through his work and training in both New York and native home of Coolock.  In preparation for his most recent win in on the Macklin v Martinez Undercard Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick's Day, Hardwick told American publication the Irish Voice “I want to keep improving. I know I am not the most skillful fighter in the world.  I know my heart is there, but I want to be able to beat guys with skill before I have to go to war”. As a fellow Coolock head, I am adding Thomas Hardwick to the list of YoungBucksNYC pushing the limits to make a it happen in New York.  Perhaps their are some more Irish out there who will read this and identify with fighting against the odds. It's not easy to leave your support systems behind to try make a go of it somewhere else... In the words of Irish poet, Seamus Heaney 'Even if the last move did not succeed, the inner command says move again.'