Cork boxers record-breaking underage success is a huge boost to the sport and the clubs in Cork

A high tide raises all boats, and the recent record-breaking success of Cork’s underage boxers has exercised the minds and energised the sport for all clubs throughout the city and county.

Many have attempted to recall a day greater than last Saturday week, when Cork boxers in the same day lifted 17 All-Ireland titles at the National Stadium. 

However, all have failed, as this tally was never even closely matched.

This was a day to cherish, and the Cork County Board intends to mark this historic achievement. 

The indications now suggest that Cork boxers from all grades from underage to senior and elite will now go on to achieve the greatest tally of national titles ever, and this solidly confirms Cork, per capita, as the most progressive and successful boxing county in the country.

Following the re-opening of Bishop Lucey Park next September, the Cork Ex-Boxers Association will organise a special boxing day and musical recital in the new plaza park. 

At this event of boxing celebration, all of Cork’s All-Ireland champions will be presented with a Jack McAuliffe gold medal. 

McAuliffe lived in a house were Lucey Park is now located, and following a family emigration to America, he went on to become a world famous boxer. 

Jack won the World Lightweight Boxing title and still remains the only Cork boxer ever to win a world title. 

This medal is presented each year to Cork’s All-Ireland boxing champions and this has become a treasured possession for all Cork boxing athletes.

Meanwhile, plans are now being finalised for a Four County Tournament in Cork at the end of September. 

A county from each province will participate. 

This bill will include Donegal, led by their President Peter O’Donnell, Wexford led by their President Nicky White, Connaught to confirm their participants, and Munster, represented by Cork, the host county. 

The recipient of each bout will be presented with a Cork crystal glass trophy. 

A full weekend of events will be enjoyed by all and the Cork County Board are now considering the organising of an annual Leeside Box Cup. 

A special committee will be set up shortly to examine all aspects of this sporting project.

The tournament, next September, is to mark Cork boxing’s 90th anniversary of organising tournaments in the City Hall. 

This building was built in 1935 and opened the following year. 

Boxing tournaments played a big part in the history of the magnificent concert hall. 

This is the venue where some of Cork’s greatest boxers dazzled the sold out crowds with great competitive bouts and sporting memories which are still recalled today.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who will be the guest of honour, often spoke of his late father ‘Paddy the Champ Martin’ saying, that the best Cork boxer, he ever saw was the great Tommy Hyde. 

The top boxer at this prestigious tournament will be presented with the Tommy Hyde Cup, in honour of a boxer, who graced the ring at the City Hall, and gave masterful exhibitions in the noble art.

Tommy Hyde was born and reared on Fair Hill, just 50 yards from a boxing club. 

The sport was thriving in schools in Cork at the time. 

In 1938, Hyde won the five and a half stone Munster Juvenile Championship.

At that point, his own club in Fair Hill had folded and he joined the nearby Sunnyside BC. 

He was rapidly identified as a major talent and quickly moved from juvenile to senior grade.

After a number of bouts at senior level, he won the Cork County Welterweight Belt. 

The following year he targeted the national championships and put in some outstanding performances.

Former Golden Gloves hero Tommy Dowdall was amongst a string of top boxers beaten by the Leesider in a brilliant 1945/46 season in which he won the Irish Senior Welterweight crown at the National Stadium, the first purpose built boxing venue in the world which was officially opened in 1939.

The homecoming was a huge occasion for Hyde and his family. 

He was introduced to a packed City Hall where he received a prolonged standing ovation. 

His international record in 1946 matched his domestic record. 

He had over 200 bouts in his career and was never floored.

Hyde also had the distinction of having fought in three different weights for Ireland in contests against Italy, Belgium, France, Austria, England, Scotland and Wales. 

The Irish champion also defeated the great Rosco Hinston of the USA in the Dublin in June of that year.

In 1949, Hyde toured Finland and won five of his seven bouts over nine days. 

When he trained around Cork, crowds would flock from far and wide to watch him go through his paces. 

Hyde retired in 1953 after representing his country against Austria.

The great Tommy Hyde passed away in May 2012.