The Victor J Aston Cup goes to De Courcey Boxing Club who are deemed to be the best club in Cork

DE COURCEY Boxing Club were recently crowned the Cork Boxing Club of the Year.

This was a spectacular achievement for the Bandon-based club and their success received widespread approval from clubs throughout the city and county. 

The presentation of the Victor J Aston Cup took place at the magnificent recently opened Tomas MacCurtain boxing museum at the Glen club. 

This was a very appropriate venue for such an occasion. 

This museum is now steeped in the history of Cork boxing representing 150 years of the sport on Leeside.

Will Rossall, the head coach, founder member and the driving force behind the progressive club proudly stepped forward to receive the cup from sponsor Dan O'Connell. 

The invited guests included Anthony Connolly chairman of the hosts Glen BC, John Morrisey the Cork Coach of the Year, whose club Golden Gloves were the most recent winners of the cup in 2023, Gordon Joyce and Mick Nagle represented Cork's most successful club Sunnyside BC and Aaron O'Donoughe current elite champion represented all Cork boxing athletes.

Others in attendance were JJ Murphy, chairman of Cork Ex-Boxers Association, Conal Thomas president of Cork boxing fraternity and Cork County Boxing Board officers John Wiseman, Louise Forde, and Micheal O'Brien.

As Will Rossal listened to the citation outlining his club's achievements he was surrounded by many historic photos which adorned the walls of the new museum. 

Rossal was standing surrounded by Cork boxing history.

Over the last seven years, Rossal had developed and shaped a new club into what today has become a very progressive unit on the Cork Boxing landscape. 

Will has worked long and tirelessly to promote the Club and has encouraged many young male and female athletes. Will has converted many of these into Irish champions who have also won county and Munster titles. 

Will has celebrated each success by enjoying a cup of Barry's Tea. 

When Rossal set out to establish a new club in Ballinaspittle and surrounding areas, he was fortunate to locate a suitable venue. 

The local Courcey Rovers Hurling and Football Club were favourably disposed to provide him with the use of facilities at the GAA complex.

From here Rossal spread the boxing gospel. Soon the club began to increase its membership and success rate. Rossal each year improved the facilities at the Club to the benefit of all his young boxers. 

Last year the De Courcey Boxing Club had to relocate. The club moved to a new premises in Bandon. 

This was a town with a long and strong boxing tradition. 

However, over the last 20 years, the sport in that area went into decline. 

Rossal and his team of dedicated committee members acquired an ideal venue for the club. They converted this into a magnificent boxing arena. 

On entering the new De Courcey Boxing Club Venue, one is immediately struck by the great atmosphere allied to the sporting spirit displayed by the very enthusiastic members of the club.

In addition to the success enjoyed by the club in the ring, they have also been outstanding international ambassadors for the sport. 

In recent years they have travelled abroad on numerous occasions including two visits to Pennsylvania in the United States. 

The club is always a hive of Boxing activity and regularly travel the country for spars, in addition to putting on test matches in their own club.

The coaches at the club include former boxers and very experienced man Andy Hayes who operate with fellow club officers Pauline O'Regan, Mags Hayes and secretary Fiona Rossal.

Winning the Cork Club of the Year has meant so much to the De Courcey Boxing Club. 

For the last week, Will Rossal affectionately known as the Earl of Bandon paraded the cup up and down the town. 

His attention was to bring the cup to each of the sponsors who had supported the Club over the years. 

Last Friday night the club organised a big celebration party where all members rejoiced in their illustrious success.

Elsewhere, Cork Penny Dinners were the recipients of monies handed over on behalf of two Cork Clubs. John Morrissey Golden Gloves BC made a presentation to Catriona Twomey. 

This was the proceeds of a very successful boxing tournament which took place at the Northside Boxing Club located in the Sunbeam industrial estate in Blackpool. The second presentation made to Catriona Twomey was made on behalf of Cork's most successful Boxing Club Sunnyside BC. 

This presentation was made by Gordon Joyce the famed Cork Boxing International and holder of four national elite titles. Gordan was accompanied by dedicated committee member Mick Nagle.

In response, Catriona Twomey thanked both clubs for their generosity towards Cork Penny Dinners, Leeside's longest-established charity. Catriona said she was always immersed in Cork boxing and her family had a long association with the sport. 

She congratulated all Cork boxers on their very successful year and she was looking forward to seeing many more male and female athletes returning to the city as national champions.