The early eighties were a turbulant time for taekwondo in ireland ..jim contiued his competitive career amassing over 95 first or second placings at both national and international events and continued growing his taekwondo school based in the spots cetre at tramore rd ..he recalls;

“the peroid 1979 to 1985/ 86 were for many the golden age of martial arts in cork ..we have created satalite clubs in the surburbs while still maintaining our link with the central club at Sawmill Street where we all attend black belt classes under Mr Walshe, the competive choices were great with many prestigous tournaments both at home and abroad ..I began to travel extensively during this time attending seminars and competiting ..and realy opening up to many new ideas in both training principales and   the  management and promotion side of the art.”

“during this peroid the international scene was becoming very fragmented with  politics and personal ego began to take over , I began to seek links with like minded martial artist and create links so we could focus on what was really important ...the training ..!!!”

Jim continued to be promoted through the senior ranks and continued to promote taekwondo in his native city with a series of high profile tournaments and seimars and exhibitions  featuring some of the worls leading taekwondo masters including Master Hee il Cho of Los Angles and Master Kwang Jo Choi of Atlanta Georgia , the net result of all this activity was one of the largest and most successful taekwondo schools in the country.