New Year’s Resolutions: Dan McShane – “Only great things can come from this opportunity”

Belfast brawler Dan McShane [9(3)-1(1)] is back and ready to make a return to the ring.

The boxing barber has been out of action for two years following a dislocated shoulder, which gave him his sole defeat, and subsequent promotional issues. McShane has now joined forces with young promoter Kieran Farrell, and looks set to be part of the Mancunian’s big plans to enter the Belfast scene.

Still only 23 years old, the period in the wilderness meant the come-forward fighter was left unmotivated. However, between fans, family, and a much-needed opportunity, the ‘Insane Train’ is about to leave the station once again.

Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com, the super featherweight explained that “it’s been too long out of the ring. I kept saying to myself I wanted to get back, but I liked the thought of it more than doing it. Anyone that’s boxed before knows it’s very hard to get back to training.”

“I never said that was me over and done with it, but it has crossed my mind a few times, that “that’s it, I’m done” thought, simply because I had nothing to ever look forward too. I’d no fights ever lined up and with none of that I’d no motivation. With me being a barber in Cambridge Barbers I have people asking day in and day out when am I back in the ring, it has really got me up and going again.”

McShane has no regrets about his ring hiatus, and described how “if anything, it will be the best thing that’s ever happened. Why? Because I got time to spend with my amazing son Cáiden. He’s now two years old and I have the gloves on him already and he knows now that his daddy will get him loads more belts. He is my biggest drive in boxing and, with him around, no man at my weight will beat me. If my son is wanting his daddy to get him belts, no man will step in my way for it, injured during the fight or not.

The link up with Farrell is a natural one, and McShane recalled how “myself and Kieran go a way back from before he fought Crolla for the English title. Mark Dunlop brought me down to Breen’s Gym and we had a few tough round of sparring and we’ve been friends ever since. So he mailed me a few weeks ago saying he’s putting a show on in Belfast and said that he would help me get back to the old me. Kieran is a man of his word so only great things can come from this opportunity.”

First up for ‘Insane’ McShane is a four-rounder on the ‘A New Era’ card at the Devenish Complex on Saturday April 22nd, and the Ulsterman wants three further fights, at least, after this. He outlined how “2017 is a massive year for me. I’m hoping for no less than four fights a year. I’ve done my apprenticeship as a pro so, after this warm-up fight, I’ll be looking for major titles to bring back to Belfast. I’ve some massive news for after this fight too so stay tuned.”

Last but not least, I want to thank my family for sticking by me and pushing me to get back at it for these past two years because, if I didn’t have that, I would be forgetting about it and this wouldn’t be happening. For the Insane fans, I’m back. Keep tuned in for when I get tickets and thanks so much for sticking around and pushing me. I’ll keep everyone posted on training by posting videos and pics on my Facebook. Let the Insane Train expand around the world!”

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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey look ahead to 2017 in episode 1 of The Irish Boxing Show