“Definitely, I do enjoy sketching portraits as well as still lifes occasionally,” states Irish lightweight boxer Dean Clancy, who is due to initiate his Olympic journey this Saturday against Jordan’s Obada Alkasbeh. Clancy finds discussing art, one of his alternative skills, relatively relaxing. Clancy is the first amongst the Irish boxing squad to compete in the Olympic ring, located in Paris Arena, at the north side of the city.
Accompanying him in the Olympic Village is his sketch pad. At the European Championships, which happened recently, Clancy started sketching portraits of his fellow athletes during his leisurely moments. He shared, “The lads were completely unaware, even though I’ve known them for over three years now. I was simply engrossed in my drawing. I just finished a portrait of Jack Marley. He seemed quite chuffed when I presented it to him.”
Clancy’s involvement in both artistic and sporting endeavours has been deeply influenced by his family. His dad, Jason, has been a steadfast support for him in his sporting journey, moulding, motivating, and enlightening him about the finer intricacies of boxing, including concentration and discipline. His grandad’s contribution has been in fostering his inclination towards sketching the fascinating faces of those around him during his practice sessions or within the Olympic village.
Clancy acknowledges the ample time for contemplation that his full-time boxing career affords him. His forthcoming bout with Alkasbeh in the Olympics marks a significant milestone, at least until now. When speaking about taking up drawing his fellow athletes, he says, “I’ve only recently resumed. My grandad was a remarkable painter – Benny Clancy from Manorhamilton, actually. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to examine all his masterpieces, I remember being awestruck at an exhibition at the Leitrim Sculpture Centre. He had an entire room dedicated to displaying his artwork.”
“He was truly a versatile artist, painting everything from flora to fauna, and scenes from Leitrim. If you were to visit our home, our walls are adorned with his artwork.” For Clancy, sketching is an ideal escape from social media. His sketch pad accompanies him to the Olympics as well. He quipped, “I could even attempt a few sketches from the Louvre!”
Clancy won’t be setting foot near the Louvre until the completion of the boxing events. The nickname for the site of the initial rounds of the Olympic contests up north of Paris moves closer to the city, transitioning into a more royal setting at Roland Garros, the tennis hub, from the quarter-finals onwards.
The commencement of Clancy’s Olympics, however, extends beyond Saturday’s official start. His Olympic journey traces back to the time of London 2012, where he vividly remembers himself fixated in his Sligo living room alongside his family, captivated by Katie Taylor – the first-ever lightweight Olympic gold medalist.
By that time, Clancy, having switched from kick-boxing to boxing, was already envisaging greatness, inspired by his father’s belief in him. As a young student, his approach to his sport was deeply professional. Spending his school intervals consuming specially crafted meals, the ideal nourishment for a budding champ.
His adolescent years were marked by an unwavering focus that repelled distractions. A pre-school workout session, followed by academic pursuits, ending in another training session in the evening. His formidable dedication ensured the respectful coexistence of his Leaving Cert and boxing, with neither succumbing to the demands of the other.
Boxing always steered towards a specific goal with the backing of his family: The Olympic Games. More than simply dreaming about his target, Clancy’s exceptional trait was his commitment to shaping these dreams into reality.
“I am genuinely convinced that I am meant to be here,” he proclaims. “Everything has naturally aligned since I picked up boxing. It’s been a gradual buildup from Junior Europeans and Junior Worlds to my Leaving Cert year. I’d wake up at six, hit the gym, finish my pad work, then return home to freshen up, attend school, and endure another training session in the evening. My mum was slightly conflicted, but I assured her I could handle both. She’s also an enthusiastic boxing patron; not providing instruction but ensuring everything is in order.”
The vital role of family has established itself as an irrefutable aspect of Olympic sports. As vital as strategies, skills, or training, the family serves as the glue that binds an athlete’s locker room. Their absence disrupts harmony, eventually leading to a collapse.
Clancy embarked on his quest for success at the European Games in Krackow last year, though circumstances were bittersweet as his maternal grandfather, Tony Walsh, was battling health issues. Despite his ill health, Tony remained cheerful as he saw Clancy off to Poland.
His familial concerns didn’t distract him from his mission. He was in the ring, fiercely battling Italy’s Gianluigi Malanga to secure his spot in the Paris Arena that very day his grandfather was being laid to rest in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo.
Clancy recalls his shock when he heard of his grandfather’s passing just before an essential fight of his career. Tony was a boxing enthusiast, often seen watching Muhammad Ali’s matches on television and radio in his time. Clancy knew his grandfather would have been proud of his qualification. Amidst the upsetting circumstances, he managed to stay focused, owing to his supportive family, and decided to fight in his grandfather’s honour.
Remembering that fateful day, Clancy narrated how he communicated with his mum while she was in the hospital and received the distressing news after his initial qualifying fight. Recognising the need to remain composed, he took a few days off to process his emotions and refocus on the qualifiers.
As a deeply religious individual, Clancy took a moment after his fight to acknowledge his late grandfather in prayer, believing that he would be watching over him. In a strange turn of events, Clancy was right in the middle of his fight while his grandfather’s funeral was taking place. His brother kept him updated on the ceremony and the fight.
Adorning Clancy’s left arm is an array of tattoos. Among them is a half tiger’s head on his shoulder alongside other designs including a butterfly, dove, and angel.
Showing off an intricate design on the inside of his forearm, Clancy explained – “It’s the Hands of Creation, with the Holy Spirit there,” as he moved his fingers across the skin. He then pointed to another tattoo – an angel, located just above the dove. His tattoo indirectly references Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The Creation of Adam, which is featured on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel – a seemingly exaggerated comparison, yet not out of place in the world of boxing. To step into that ring indeed requires a mindset that embraces the extraordinary.
Through rigorous technical training and resilience-building rituals like saunas and icy sea dips in Rosses Point, Sligo, Clancy has moulded himself into a fearless, high-achieving athlete. As one of the ten athletes representing Ireland, his accomplishment is already remarkable, echoing the impressive achievements of the Irish squad.
In the Paris event, only Australia and Uzbekistan have bigger teams, with 12 and 11 athletes respectively. Ireland shares the third spot globally, next to Kazakhstan and Brazil, boasting a squad of 10 aspiring athletes.
Under the guidance of Billy Walsh, who used to coach the Irish side, the USA steps forward with eight representatives. On the other hand, Britain fields a team of six.
Clancy says, “Boxing is my driving force, a deep-seated passion of mine. I relish it. From dreaming of a school-facing Sligo/Leitrim win, a Connacht title, to an Irish and a European win, it all culminated in my longing for the Olympics, and now, I strive for a Paris 2024 medal.”
His journey, facilitated by boxing pads and sketch pads alike, finds him on the cusp of continuing this lifelong quest. On Saturday afternoon, Clancy will find out if these paths were enough to take him further.