Cork Boxing's first purpose-built Boxing Museum will be opened by an Tanaiste Micheal Martin

AN Tánaiste Micheál Martin will officially open the first purpose-built Irish Boxing Museum in the Country, at the Glen Boxing Club next April.

The Museum will bear the name of the Club’s first President and martyred Lord Mayor of Cork Tomas MacCurtain. 

The designated area within the Club has been completely refurbished with independent access.

The memorabilia and artifax on display will provide a trip down memory lane, for the purists of both Cork and Irish Boxing. 

The permanent pugilistic exhibition will stir the memories of many while it will inspire others to reflect with appreciation on the achievements of Cork boxers for over one hundred years.

The opening of the facility will be a great sporting occasion for the people of Blackpool and Cork. 

The layout of exhibits will be all embracing with numerous features and a comprehensive compendium detailing a history of the various categories. 

These will chart the success of Glen boxers, Cork boxers, Olympians and Internationals. 

The Museum will also trace the history of Professional boxers going back to Cork’s only World Champion Jack McAuliffe over one hundred and thirty years ago. 

The historic boxing endeavours of Pakie O’Mahony, the Blackpool man who was the Irish heavyweight Champion will also be chronicled.

Micheál Martin’s father Paddy was a very prominent member of the Glen Boxing Club, and the Tánaiste has been very closely linked to Cork boxing over many years, therefore it is fitting that he should perform the official opening.

To mark this auspicious occasion a souvenir publication will be published.

This will contain the background to many of the items on display. Each of these exhibits will remain the propriety of the donor and will remain only on loan to the Museum. 

The official date in April will be announced within the next couple of weeks.

Many dignitaries from the World of sport business and politics will be invited to the Gala opening.

A programme of entertainment will also follow and guests will enjoy refreshments provided by the Club. 

This is another milestone in the history of Ireland’s oldest boxing club and it promises to be an occasion to savour.

The name O’Sullivan’s has always featured prominently in the history of Cork boxing. 

The first name recorded in an old minute book was William O’Sullivan who won a County Championship Title at the first Cork County Board Championships in 1914. 

This was an open-air event and took place where Fitzgerald Park on the Mardike is located today.

Over the years many O’Sullivan’s have represented clubs all over the City and the County. 

On this page today, a photo of three O’Sullivan’s who distinguished themselves in the world of International Boxing is featured. 

Tim O’Sullivan, who sadly passed away in October 2020 is in the company of Gary ‘Spike O’Sullivan and Frank O’Sullivan, the occasion was Tim’s 90th Birthday party.

All three of these gentlemen who bear the O’Sullivan name have made a significant impact and contribution to the boxing world. 

Each has been honoured and decorated for their distinguished service to the sport. 

Tim received the IABA National Hall of Fame Award in 2019. He also received a Civic Reception from then Lord Mayor Cllr. Tony Fitzgerald at a packed City Hall in 2017. 

Gary ‘Spike O’Sullivan received an invitation to Aras An Uachtarain by the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins in 2013. 

This followed his success in winning a WBO International belt in London. To mark the occasion the President presented him with a Medal which will be at display at the new Museum.

Frank O’Sullivan who was born and reared at the bottom of Shandon Street, boxed successfully with Sunnyside prior to his emigration to Birmingham in the fifties. 

Frank founded the Birmingham Athletic Boxing Club. Over many years as a coach, Frank made a huge impression across the water. 

This culminated in 2012, when at Buckingham Palace he was honoured by Queen Elizabeth and received an MBE for outstanding service to sport.

The fully story of the three O’Sullivan’s boxing journey will be featured in the Museum souvenir programme.

Meanwhile, the Cork County 2024 boys and girls Boxing Championships will take place on Saturday and Sunday next, the venue is the Northside Boxing Club at the Sunbeam Industrial Estate.

This year a new concept will be introduced when, the Tim O’Sullivan Boxer of the Championships will be presented. 

The presentation will be made by Paddy McSweeney a lifelong friend of the late Tim. 

A special two page spread on these Championships will be published in the Echo on Tuesday 13th February.

Elsewhere, on the St Patrick's weekend bank holiday Monday 18th March a Senior Boxing Tournament will take place at the Northside Club. This is being organised by the Cork County Board in conjunction with John Morrissey head coach at the Golden Gloves Boxing Club. 

This promises to be a spectacular show, with full details announced in early March. 

The Board President Michael O’Brien said: “Huge emphasis will now be placed on the promotion of Senior boxing in Cork.

”This will consolidate the phenomenal juvenile and underage success enjoyed by Cork boxers over the last ten years."