Cork County Board boxing championships were a huge success over two weekends

Outstanding competitive boxing and the highest entry ever were the hallmarks of the recently completed 2025 Cork County Juvenile and Underage Boxing Championships.

This year the much-anticipated championships took place over two weekends. 

The boys and girls 4, 5 and 6 took place on the first weekend in February, and the boys and girls 1, 2 and 3 championships took place on the first weekend in March. 

In all, five action packed days of magnificent boxing provided a very high standard in all grades, and this was fully appreciated by the huge attendance who flocked in droves to the Northside Boxing Club in Blackpool, where the championships took place this year.

Throughout two world wars many recessions and the Covid pandemic these championships have never failed to take place. 

In 1914, the Cork County Boxing Board having been set-up, following a meeting at No.2 James Street, off Washington Street, decided to inaugurate these championships. 

At that time, they found it difficult to find a venue suitable. 

However, Fitzgerald’s Park was nominated and agreed upon as a venue.

The Mardyke was always a famous cauldron for sport with hurling, football, cricket, athletics, soccer, rugby catered for, and now boxing introduced their sport to the picturesque boulevard, renowned in song and story.

These were open-air championships and took place on the fourth Sunday in May that year. 

A carnival atmosphere was created at this event and patrons were entertained by the illustrious Butter Exchange Band. 

This band which was formed during famine times has enjoyed a long association with Cork boxing. 

In recent years, they have played in Bishop Lucey Park at all the ceremonies when various plaques were erected to honour Cork’s former boxing heroes.

A Cork County Boxing Championship medal was always acknowledged as a prized possession by Leeside boxers. 

Weather it was either a senior medal or a juvenile medal it has a great status of pride and sporting accomplishment. 

Over the years these medals varied but the achievement remained of paramount importance to the athletes.

The current Cork County Championship Boxing medal was launched by the Board in 2017. 

This was designed to give a specific emphasis to the sport, its culture, tradition and geographical heritage. 

This medal depicts a victorious boxer, with raised hands rejoicing in sporting success, overlooking the City of Cork, with many iconic and famous landmarks, such as Shandon, the City Hall, the North Chapel and St Finbarr’s Cathedral in the background.

Another feature of the recent championship was the presentation of the top boxer award in each category. 

At the 4, 5 and 6 event, the Tim O’Sullivan Cup was presented to Arthur O’Donnell of the Charleville Boxing Club. 

At the 1, 2 and 3 championships, the Maurice Walsh Cup was presented to Jason McDonagh from Mitchelstown BC. 

The over-all most successful club at the championships were Mayfield BC and they were presented with the inaugural Dave Mannix Perpetual Shield.

The president of the Cork County Board congratulated all county champions and he paid tribute to all the boxing athletes and clubs who participated this year. 

He also acknowledged the huge volume of organisation involved and specifically thanked all officers of the board, and all referees, judges, and administrators, who handsomely contributed to make the 2025 Cork County Boxing Championships a first class sporting event on Leeside.