Bernard Allen as Minister for Sport was a great friend to Cork boxing and remained so until his recent passing

The recent death of former Minister for Sport Bernard Allen has saddened many in Cork boxing circles.

Throughout his political career, Bernard was a great advocate for the sport. 

His passing has left a legacy of great memories for people who are now mindful of his outstanding work on behalf of boxing on Leeside.

In the early fifties as a seven year-old, Bernard often recalled going to the City Hall on Friday nights for the big boxing tournaments. 

The young Allen was introduced to the sport by his father and uncles, who were big followers of boxing during those great halcyon days for the sport in the southern capital. 

The late Cork north central TD remembered the night Paddy Martin defeated Jamaican heavyweight champion Joe Bygraves, and the night in 1957, when Albi Murphy fought the Irish Olympic silver medallist Fred Tiedt.

Bernard shared these memories at a Boxing Breakfast in Clancy’s Restaurant in 2017. 

He spoke about going up Blarney Street late on many of those nights, and recalled as he enjoyed a bag of chips, everyone in the street in those days would be talking about the boxing in the City Hall. 

Those nights of boxing magic cemented his love for the sport, and later in his political career, Bernard was in a pivotal position to assist boxing and all other sports in Cork.

In 1979, Bernard Allen, as a member of the Fine Gael Party, was elected to Cork City Council at the local elections. 

In 1988, he was elected Lord Mayor of Cork by the City Council. 

During his year in office, Mr. Allen made a big impression as Cork’s first citizen. 

Amongst many things, he was instrumental in convincing the then corporation to buy Jack Lynch’s first home beneath the Shandon steeple. Today this house is identified to the visiting public through a plaque on the wall, which proclaims this to be the home of Cork’s first Taoiseach.

Though he was of a different political persuasion, Allen primarily saw Jack Lynch, firstly as a Corkman, and Allen insured he received due recognition for his sporting and political endeavours.

The next plaque Bernard Allen unveiled in Bishop Lucey Park was in 1994 when he had the honour of unveiling the memorial plaque to Cork’s first and only world boxing champion Jack McAuliffe. 

This was a red Letter Day for Cork boxing as it helped to create the now famous Cork Boxing Wall. 

The first plaque to Jack McAuliffe was made of stone slab concrete. 

Prior to the erection, this plaque split down the middle. 

The unveiling was deferred while an alternative was made. 

This was also of stone and it has stood the test of time, however, the Cork Ex-Boxers Association for all future plaques thereafter changed to granite marble.

Bernard Allen was a proud son of Cork’s northside, educated at the North Mon. 

He was elected to the Dail in 1981. 

In 1994, he was promoted to Minister for Sport. 

During his years in this office his help and assistance to Cork sporting clubs is legendary. 

In particular, his support to Cork Boxing Clubs during these years will always be appreciated.

The northside politician took great interest in the careers of Cork boxers. 

He attended the unveiling of plaques in honour of ten former boxers in Bishop Lucey Park. 

He took a great interest also in the professional progress of Gary ‘Spike O’Sullivan. 

In 1995, he had a very influential role as Minister for Sport in securing the Green Glens in Millstreet, as the venue for the World Super Middleweight title fight between Steve Collins and Chris Eubank.

In 1996, Allen was in Atlanta in the United States and played a huge role with the Irish Olympic party at another very successful Olympics for Ireland.

Bernard was always an ever present where Cork boxing matters were concerned. 

His passing brings into sharp focus the role he played in attempting to secure government funding for the Cork Boxing centre of excellence. 

He was also on the Board of Sport Ireland for many years and gave much appreciated advice to the Cork Boxing Board on numerous occasions.

In November of 2015, Bernard was a guest at the official opening of the Cork interim boxing headquarters in Churchfield. 

In 2019, he was presented with a special edition of the Jack McAuliffe Gold Medal.

In March 2023, along with all former Lord Mayors of Cork, Bernard was invited to Cork’s City Hall for a Tomas MacCurtain concert and boxing tournament. 

Part of the ceremony that night was a presentation of a MacCurtain souvenir plaque from the Glen Boxing Club, to each surviving former Lord Mayor. 

Due to an eye injury, Bernard could not attend on the night and sent his apologies.

However, a couple of weeks later at his home in the presence of his wife Marie, Bernard was presented with the special plaque by board Chairman Michael O’Brien. 

This was the last presentation Bernard received as a public representative and he replied: “I am humbled and delighted and I will truly cherish this boxing momento."