Cork's Olympic boxing heroes to be honoured for their participation at the Games

To mark the Centenary of Ireland’s boxing participation in the Olympic Games, four Cork boxers will be presented with international caps in recognition of their achievements.

In 1924, Ireland first took part in the Olympics in Paris. 

Once again, this year the Olympics were held in Paris and Ireland returned with a precious gold medal. 

To many Kellie Harrington's double Olympic Gold Medal success was Ireland’s finest hour in the one hundred years of Olympic boxing.

This brought to 19 medals, Ireland’s boxing tally at the Games, making boxing this country’s most successful sport, at what is generally described as the greatest show on earth.

Cork’s first Olympic boxing trail blazer one hundred years ago were, Willie ‘Boy' Murphy, Mossie Doyle, and Joe Kelleher. 

They were part of a seven man Irish team who travelled to Paris. 

Cork, at various stages over the following century was represented by numerous boxers, who have been profiled in this column on many occasions.

However, at a Cork boxing event, which will take place in early December, Kieran Joyce, Paul Buttimer, Michael Roche and Christina Desmond will be presented with Irish international Olympic caps. 

This is the first time ever international caps will be presented to boxers and once again, Cork boxing is proud to lead the way through this dynamic sporting innovation.

These four Cork boxers have over many years wore the Irish international vest with distinction. 

Kieran Joyce represented Ireland at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984, and Seoul in 1988.

He is also the holder of six National Elite Titles. 

Paul Buttimer represented Ireland at the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992, where through Michael Carruth the nation won its first boxing gold medal. 

Paul went on to win four National Elite Titles. 

Michael Roche, the winner of five All-Ireland Elite Championships, had the distinction of being the only Irish boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games in Sydney in the year 2000. 

His achievement brought Cork’s Olympic boxing story into a new century.

Christina Desmond has equally an outstanding boxing record. 

She represented Ireland as a Junior Olympian in China in 2013. 

She has won six National Elite Titles, and like Kieran Joyce, she is the holder of a European Championship Elite Bronze Medal.

Joyce, Buttimer and Roche all hailed from the much celebrated Sunnyside BC, while Christina represented the Macroom BC.

On the first day of January this year, the Glen Ireland’s oldest boxing club proudly flew the Olympic flag to welcome the Olympic year, and now at the end of this historic Olympic year, Cork boxing will honour four of its most distinguished and successful boxers in the history of the sport on Leeside.

Meanwhile, the Cork County Board AGM will take place in October and the IABA, National Convention will take place in late November.

On Thursday, the 17th October, the Annual Cork Boxing Leagues will begin. 

The venue will be the Northside Boxing Club in Blackpool. 

The match maker will be Shane Forde. 

Last year, Shane did a magnificent job. 

He has a great acknowledge of the talent available in most clubs, and this enables him to create some very competitive bouts. 

Once again the programme this year will be ten weeks of league boxing.

This will be followed in early January by the two-day festival of Cork boxing. 

Last year this event was introduced as the Olympic Festival. 

This was a remarkable success and clubs immediately requested that it should become an annual event on the Leeside boxing calendar.

In February, the flag ship of the Cork boxing year, the county championships will take place. 

The stream lined organisation of these championships introduced by the Board last year will once again apply. 

This provides for the boxing to take place over two days with independent morning and afternoon sessions each day.

The 2025 county championships will see the introduction of the Mannix Shield. 

This will be presented to the most successful club at the championships. 

This shield is a tribute to the memory of the late Dave Mannix, who passed away almost ten years ago. 

Dave gave great service to the sport of boxing.

Dave Mannix boxed with the Glen BC for many years, winning a number of national titles. 

He was a founder member of the Spartan Boxing Club based in Turner's Cross and he was a dedicated county board boxing referee. 

The introduction of the Mannix Shield is a fitting tribute to his contribution to Cork boxing.

Elsewhere, it was with great sadness on Sunday morning that Cork boxing officials learned of the death of Brian Birmingham, who passed away while on holidays abroad. 

Brian, who was Lord Mayor of Cork in 2009 was a life honorary Vice President of the Cork Ex-Boxers Association. 

Brian was introduced to boxing as a ten year old when his father the late John Birmingham would bring him along to the Glen Boxing Club in Spring Lane where John was secretary for over 20 years.

Brian was always available with advice and any assistance he could provide. 

He was instrumental in setting up the ‘Lagan to the Lee’ which was Cork against Belfast Boxing Tournament in 2013. 

He attended all the boxing functions and was the main organiser of Cork Times Past. 

This took place in the Lord Mayor’s office each year and honoured people who made a contribution to the culture of the city. 

Last year Cobh historian John Hennessey, who gave great service to Cork boxing was honoured. 

Brian will always be remembered for honouring two Cork institutions, The Butter Exchange and The Barrack Street Bands.

The sympathy of the Cork County Board and the Cork Ex-Boxers Association has been extended to his wife and family.