Cork Boxing: Linda Desmond takes success in her stride

Cork Penny Dinners recently made a presentation to the Tomás Mac Curtain Boxing Museum to acknowledge the charity efforts of Cork's only world boxing champion Jack McAuliffe.

This presentation was made by Catriona Twomey, whose work on behalf of the less well-off is legendary. She presented Anthony Connolly chairman of the Glen BC where the museum is located, with a beautiful bronze heritage piece.

Jack McAuliffe was born in Cork in 1866. He lived in Christchurch Lane where Bishop Lucey Park stands today. At ten years of age, he emigrated with his family to Maine Brooklyn New York. He pursued the sport of boxing with great success. In 1886 he was unanimously established as the lightweight champion of the world. He defended his title successfully until 1893 and retired undefeated.

GENEROUS

Following his retirement McAuliffe pursued a business career as a stockbroker; he made and lost a lot of money. He never forgot the poverty and destitution which existed in Cork before he left the city. Aged 40, McAuliffe was looking at the same poverty in New York. Being a generous man and with the funds to do it, he opened food kitchens and lodging houses for the poor.

McAuliffe never forgot the misery that families experienced, and he opened a big free food hall and operated from a terraced street in New York. 

This building had a big door. The presentation piece made by Catriona Twomey was symbolic of the door which fed thousands over many years. 

Anthony Connolly thanked her for such a splendid gesture: "This ensures that not only will Jack McAuliffe be remembered as a boxer but also as a great humanitarian." McAuliffe never returned to Cork and died on November 5, 1937, aged 71.

REMARKABLE

Meanwhile, in an outstanding year for Cork boxing one athlete stood out in a remarkable year of achievement. Linda Desmond the Rylane BC boxer won an All-Ireland U22 title, a senior title, became a National Elite Champion, won the prestigious Echo Women in Sport overall award and was presented with the Paddy Martin Champ of Champions Cup by the Táiniste Micheál Martin.

Desmond said: "I owe a lot to the Rylane Club. But in particular I wish to thank my two great coaches Dan Lane and Seanie Barrett." 

Desmond is a native of Millstreet and still resides there. She is currently a third-level student at the MTU Tralee where she is studying veterinary nursing. She was invited to join the Rylane boxing club when she was 11 years of age. 

This invitation came from John Barrett a neighbour. All the Barretts were active in the Rylane Club and the family has produced multiple champions in all grades. They are also steeped in Gaelic games and are widely respected within the sporting community of a town that became famous when Steve Collins defeated Chris Eubank to win the world Super Middleweight Title in 1995.

Linda`s interest in boxing came from watching Katie Taylor win an Olympic gold medal in London in 2012. Katie became her hero, and she admired her greatly. Her aim was to emulate Katie as a dedicated boxing athlete and to compete in the sport. She joined the Rylane boxing club and was warmly welcomed by head coach Dan Lane who was also a founder member of the club which was established in 1979.

Lane is a Rylane native who over the last 45 years has enjoyed legendary status within the sport. Over the last decade, Desmond has made a great impression on the Irish boxing landscape. 

She vividly recalls her first bout for the Rylane Club and admits to being both nervous and apprehensive but quickly adds she received great words of wisdom from her first coach and neighbour John Barrett.

Desmond went on to win multiple county, Munster and National titles as an underage and juvenile boxer. She competed all over Ireland in both tournaments and championships. She was selected to box for her country against England in 2016. Three years later in 2019, she was given the opportunity once again to represent Ireland against the same opposition.

She took all the success in her stride but added: "It was when I was presented with my international pennant by the Cork County Board that I fully appreciated the honour bestowed upon me to represent my country." 

She has represented her club and her country with distinction. She is an outstanding ambassador for the sport of boxing and is a great example to all young female athletes who would like to take up the sport and achieve success at any level.