# Sam McNally

> Black Belt | Ireland

## Overview

**Name:** Sam McNally

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt

**Nationality:** Ireland

**Gender:** Male

**Weight:** 66 kg


## Bio

Sam McNally was born in November 1994, in Dublin, the capital city of the Republic of Ireland.

Despite not being particularly sporty as a child, not in a competitive environment at least, McNally had a short-lived experience with martial arts through his high school which taught judo as a part of its sport’s curriculum. This episode drove Sam to look for grappling as an extra-curricular activity, finding what he was looking for in jiu-jitsu.

McNally joined Darragh O’Conaill’s school at the age of 16, the gym that would later become East Coast Jiu-Jitsu, one of the most prestigious grappling schools in Europe. Sam went from white to black belt under the guidance of O’Conaill, with his black belt promotion taking place on June 29, 2019,
## Gym Affiliations

- **Brú Grappling Studio** (Dundrum, Ireland) — Head Instructor
## Specialties

- modern jj style
## Achievements

- 1st Place ADCC European Trials (2022)
- 1st Place IBJJF London Fall Open (2019)
- 1st Place IBJJF Dublin Open (2022)
- 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2022)
- 1st Place IBJJF Ireland Nationals (2019 brown)
- 1st Place AJP British National Pro (2019 brown)
- 1st Place AJP Spain National Pro (2019 brown)
- 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2019 brown)
- 3rd Place AJP Grand Slam, LDN (2017 purple)
## Lineage

- Carlos Gracie (Red Belt)
- Hélio Gracie (Red Belt)
- Royler Gracie (Coral Belt)
- Saulo Ribeiro (Black Belt)
- Darragh O'Conaill (Black Belt)

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**Last Updated:** September 09, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/sam-mcnally)