The “Senior Management Team” behind SBG Tallaght revealed via their Facebook yesterday that head coach Paddy Holohan has parted ways with the Tallaght branch of the gym “over a staffing issue” and that they are “working hard on finding a suitable replacement”.

Here is the statement from the “Senior Management Team” of SBG Tallaght in full:

“To all our members.

There has been a lot of confusion over the past 48 hours. We at SBG Tallaght will continue to value all our members and provide top quality coaches.

Unfortunately Paddy Holohan has left SBG Tallaght over a staffing issue. SBG Tallaght respects Paddy’s decision to leave. We want to wish Paddy well in the future. SBG Tallaght are working hard on finding a suitable replacement for Paddy. All the other coaches will be operating business as normal.

We appreciate your patience. Senior Management Team” Former UFC fighter Paddy Holohan was the head coach and the face of the Tallaght franchise of the SBG gyms which opened in June 2016. Holohan responded to the situation in a closed Facebook group (screenshot) saying: “As of Tuesday 21st February 2017. I am not in anyway connected with SBG Tallaght on the Belgard Road. I will not be teaching any classes, be connected to any programs or advertising related to it. In relation to the aforementioned “Staffing issues” I would never terminate someone’s employment who was part of the SBG Tallaght’s plan before anyone else. Loyalty is key to me. I apologise to all my students for the invoncenience of changing of my location, but I am still fully committed to my plan to improve our area with SBG martial arts programs. I have located a temporary place from next week to train and plan to continue what we started until we secure a permanent home for SBG D24 which myself and Joey Breslin will take charge of. Lots of people have been asking questions regarding the status of their membership carrying over. The answer is no. We will be a seperate club but still operating in Tallaght.”

Many of the SBG Tallaght members responded to the Facebook statement from the senior management in support of Holohan as shown in these screenshots of some of the replies which have now been deleted:

Click to Enlarge

__

SBG Tallaght coach Joey Breslin then released the following statement tonight on his Facebook and said “I will support my long time friend and training partner Paddy Holohan and relinquish any duties at SBG Tallaght”

Here is Breslin’s statement in full:

“Statement regarding SBG Tallaght and Paddy Holohan:

First off let me make it clear that I have never been treated poorly at SBG Tallaght. The staff have always made me feel welcome and I have never been involved in a dispute or argument with ownership or another member of staff / client.

It is the contrary, I have been treated extremely well, provided with a job that allowed me to survive while doing something i am extremely passionate about.

Paddy Holohan is one of my close friends. Myself and Paddy grew up on the mats of Straight Blast Gym. I can remember Paddy declaring his goals as far back as 2009: Fight in the UFC then eventually give back by teaching martial arts in his home town tallaght.

Paddy can no longer be part of SBG Tallaght, For reasons that do not apply for myself or any of the other coaches.

I wish no ill will to anyone involved in SBG Tallaght but this is a matter of loyalty and I must pick a side.

No matter what is said between the two parties i will support my long time friend and training partner Paddy Holohan and relinquish any duties at SBG Tallaght.

I am studying for a degree at the moment, This is my priority, i cannot risk legal action which would be detrimental to my living situation/ goals. With that considered I will wait for Paddy and SBG Tallaght to resolve their dispute before committing to coaching elsewhere.

Until then back to the chip shop..

#SBG“

Article updated at 00:49 on 24th February 2017