First series of bouts in the Munster championships completed with a second weekend of bouts to come

Cork’s young boxers are now primed and the focus in the coming weeks will be on contesting the provincial and national championships.

This season, to facilitate the national fixture format, both the county and provincial championships are being completed over various weekends, in both February and March. 

On Saturday last, the first series in the Munster championships took place, while on Saturday and Sunday, 1st and 2nd of March, the Cork County Board will complete its 2025 underage programme, when the 1, 2, and 3 boys and girls County Titles will be hotly contested.

Following that event, the overall most successful club in this year’s Cork championships will have been decided, and the inaugural presentation of the Dave Mannix Shield will be presented to the winners.

The sponsor Conal Thomas seen on this page presenting the shield to board officers, Louise Forde and Nicola Murphy said this.

“I consider it an honour to be associated with this presentation of a shield, which will help to keep the name of Dave Mannix continuously associated with Cork boxing.

“Dave was a man who volunteered much of his life to train and coach young boxers. He was dedicated to the sport and now Cork boxing, through this trophy, will continue to keep the name of Dave Mannix in a place of annual presentation which is truly worthy of his contribution to the sport,” concluded Mr Thomas.

Ultimately, national glory is the aim of all boxers, clubs and coaches.

Recently honoured for his remarkable success as a coach was the Kanturk Boxing Club’s Head Coach Jim McConville.

Over the last 12 years Jim, a Scotsman, who came to live and work in Kanturk, has made a big impact on the Cork boxing landscape. 

He has produced multiple champions in all grades. 

Jim’s coaching techniques have left an indelible mark on amateur boxing in the southern capital, and he continues to successfully foster the sport for all boxing athletes in the barony of Duhallow.

His recent recognition from the Cork County Boxing Board came following the national senior success of Katie O’Keeffe. 

Katie has come up trough the ranks under Jim’s coaching stewardship and is a multiple All-Ireland champion. 

The entire O’Keeffe family are steeped in the Kanturk Club, however, Katie’s success is a class apart. 

She has won a record number of European Junior Championship medals. 

In 2022, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin presented her with the Paddy ‘The Champ Martin Cup at a dinner dance in the Rochestown Park Hotel.

On that occasion, Micheál Martin congratulated Katie on her outstanding boxing career, and he also singled out the work of McConville as her dedicated coach. 

“Jim has made a great difference in helping to coach and guide Katie as her mentor, and long may this continue.

“On this special night for Katie I warmly congratulate Jim McConville as well," Mr Martin said.

The Cork County Board continues with their policy of assisting club members to successfully complete the referee and judging coaches. 

Here a high standard is maintained and when various club members complete the courses they sit an exam. 

Accordingly, when successful they ‘pass out’ and are acknowledged as graduates of the first circuit. 

However, as their careers in this field progresses they can continue to up their status as both referees and or judges.

Recently, under the watchful eye of the very experienced John Casey and Larry Durand, four Cork club members were presented with their certificates. 

The board congratulated Billy O’Sullivan, Andrew Hayes, Ricky O’Flynn and Liam Hickey, and it acknowledges the continuous work of secretary John Wiseman, who is always encouraging club officials to take up these very important courses.

Meanwhile, the Cobh Boxing Club, which is a very progressive unit within Cork boxing circles, has informed the county board that they are moving to a new training base. 

The new venue will be situated in the heart of the town and in close proximity to all amenities. 

Head Coach Dave Quigley said he is thrilled with the new venue.

“The new premises will allow the club to develop and expand."

Currently they have a waiting list, from local athletes who wish to join the club. 

The new location will enhance this objective and help the club to develop and prosper.

Cobh has a long tradition in boxing. 

Originally called Queenstown, their most famous son was the Gorgeous Gael Jack Doyle. 

Known once as a Garrison town, the Navy produced many great boxers down through the years, and they contributed to keeping the sport alive in a town where the harbour is second only to Sydney in Australia, as the deepest berth in the world.

The current club in the town Cove BC are using the old spelling of the famed name. 

In a lifetime associated with boxing local historian John Hennessy said, he is looking forward to the official opening of the club’s new premises.

Mr Hennessy, who was presented with the Cork Historian of The Year Award in 2023 by Lord Mayor Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, is also a long time member of the Cork Ex-Boxers Association. 

Mr Hennessy will be a guest of Cove BC at next month’s official opening of their new clubhouse.