Cork Boxing: Reviewing a memorable 2023 for Leeside fighters and clubs

TODAY, we look back at 2023, the most successful year for Cork boxers since the formation of the County Boxing Board in 1914.

While many generations of Leeside boxers have been outstanding over the years, they have never sealed the heights achieved by the elite and senior boxers who represented Cork this year.

Six adult titles won in a whirlwind six-week period, three elite and three senior championship belts was the boxing bounty delivered to the southern capital by five magnificent ambassadors and outstanding athletes.

Anyone who knows anything about boxing in Cork knows Shandon Street as the boxing boulevard.

Its hinterland is dotted with pubs and shops and the sporting enthusiasts roaming the street are united in celebration these days, as they continue to rejoice in the phenomenal success recently enjoyed by Cork boxers and their clubs.

One man who walks that street every day is veteran Glen BC coach Tommy Kelleher.

Tommy often said, “It would often take at least an hour to walk from the North Chapel to North Gate Bridge,” such is the amount of people who would stop him to talk boxing.

Tommy himself got the year off to a good start on January 12 when he celebrated his 80th birthday. A party in his honour was subsequently organised at the Glen Rovers Hurling Club.

Here, the good and the great of Cork boxing gathered to toast the continued good health of a Leeside boxing legend. Later that month, at a Cork boxing breakfast held at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork boxing honoured Zair Antia, Ireland’s most successful international elite coach. The presentation to Zair, was made by former County Board president Dan O’Connell.

O’Connell was the man who unearthed the Georgian coach and directed him to the Emerald Isle over 20 years ago.

Later in the year, the Irish Olympic Federation followed Cork’s lead and presented him with their own President’s Award. Due recognition to a man who has a first-class coaching pedigree. During his visit to Cork, Zair presented Katie O’Keeffe with a plaque to acknowledge her three European Championships medals.

He made further presentations for distinguished service to Aine McLoughlin, Will Rossall and Fergal Dennehy.

On Wednesday, February 1, John Martin, the former County Board president and Glen BC coach, was laid to rest. The same month the Cork County Board Championships took place at the Northside Boxing Club, situated in the Old Sunbeam industrial estate.

Following some outstanding bouts at the well-organised championships Mayfield BC emerged with 13 county champions and the club was presented with the McCarthy Cup.

PACKED

In March, the Glen Boxing Club organised the Tomas MacCurtain boxing tournament at the Cork City Hall. The venue was packed to the rafters. The occasion was streamed live throughout the World.

During the evening, the MacCurtain family presented the Glen BC with a magnificent Cup to perpetuate the name of Cork’s former Lord Mayor and first president of the Glen Boxing Club.

During the month of March and April, the All-Ireland Juvenile Championships took place in Dublin. Cork once again made a huge impact and many young male and female boxing athletes from both the city and county returned to Cork as national champions.

In May Tom Kelleher the Glen BC coach, was presented with a Cork indoor Sports Award. This was long overdue. It was also the 60th anniversary of the awards.

Fittingly, the presentation was made to Tom by Dan O’Connell a man who gave many years of service to both Cork boxing and to the Indoor Sports Committee, whom he served in the capacity of both treasurer and president.

GOLDEN

Later in the month, the Victor Aston Cup, for the Cork Boxing Club of the Year was presented. Golden Gloves BC were announced as the 2023 winners.

This accolade is presented in recognition of a club’s organisation and success both outside and inside the ring. Dan O’Connell who sponsored this cup made the presentation to John Morrissey the head coach.

This success went on to further inspire this club and they annexed both senior and elite titles later in the year.

In June, Glen BC chairman Anthony Connolly was presented with the Cork Boxing Personality of the Year Award. The presentation was made by Conal Thomas, president of the Cork Boxing Fraternity Association.

In July, Leanne Murphy Togher BC returned from the Haringey Cup in London as a proud gold medallist.

Meanwhile, in August plans were announced to hold Olympic celebrations and events in Cork in 2024 to mark 100 years of Irish boxing participation in the Games.

This began in 1924 when Cork had three boxers on a seven-man Irish team that participated in Paris. Mossy Doyle, Jim Kelleher and Willie ‘Boy Murphy were all army boxers and were Cork’s Olympic trailblazers.

In September, John Hennessy who gave many years promoting boxing in Cobh, was honoured by the Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy. He presented him with the Civil Historian Award, John was accompanied by JJ Murphy and Brian Birmingham Cork Ex-Boxers Association.

In October, Tánaiste Micheál Martin presented the Paddy ‘The Champ’ Martin Cup, to Aaron O’Donoghue who won both senior and elite national titles.

In November, Cork boxing enjoyed the greatest success ever at the National Stadium with six adult championships. This success has been well-documented recently.

In December, John Wiseman was presented with a watch by the county board president to mark 20 years of remarkable service as secretary of the county board. This was indeed a fitting climax to an illustrious year in the history of Cork boxing.