Cork County Boxing Board to be presented with The Lord Mayor Cup

The Cork County Boxing Board welcomed the excellent news recently that the Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy will present the board with a new cup, which will be named ‘The Lord Mayor Cup.’

Next year will mark the 90th anniversary of the opening of the City Hall following the burning of the old City Hall by the Black and Tans in 1920. On that dreadful night in December of that year, much of the city centre was also burning, including the Parnell’s Boxing Club, which was located on Copley Street.

For sixteen years the people of Cork waited on the build of their new City Hall and in 1936 the President of Ireland, Éamon de Valera, officially opened the magnificent and iconic building which beautifully designed still proudly stands today in isolated splendour.

In the ninety years of its existence, the City Hall has enjoyed a long association with the sport of boxing. 

On great nights in the thirties, forties, fifties and 1960’s the main concert hall in the building has been the venue for many outstanding tournaments and international events. 

Numerous boxers from various countries throughout the World have tread the boards in various rings over many generations and these occasions have made for a treasure trove of magnificent boxing memories, which have been cherished by all in the Cork boxing fraternity.

In that ill-fated year of 1920, Cork lost two of the City’s Lord Mayors. Tomas MacCurtain, who was murdered in his home in Blackpool and Terence McSwiney, who was his replacement was exiled and imprisoned in England for republican activities. 

McSwiney who went on hunger strike on his principles was left to die there.

Following the death of these two remarkable Cork men, the Lord Mayors chain of Office took on a completely new meaning. 

To this day, every man and woman who held the distinquished position of being Lord Mayor of Cork have fully grasped the true meaning of wearing the chain and walking in the footsteps of MacCurtain and McSwiney.

Today, that honour has fallen to Cllr Fergal Dennehy. 

In his recent address to the Cork County Boxing Board delegation in his office, he spoke of the long link of other Lord Mayors who were richly associated with the sport of boxing over many generations. 

This all began back in 1920 when MacCurtain was Lord Mayor of Cork. 

During his term in office, MacCurtain was also president of the Glen Boxing Club, and his strong association with the sport had encouraged many to promote and foster a boxing tradition on Leeside.

Against this background, Cllr Fergal Dennehy believed that the introduction of ‘The Lord Mayor Cup’ now would contribute to further enhancing the sport.

Allied to this, the current Lord Mayor is the secretary and a founder member of the very successful Togher Boxing Club which was established over twelve years ago.

During recent years in the capacity of Deputy Lord Mayor, he has welcomed the double Olympic champion Kellie Harrington, who was then also world amateur champion to the City Hall. 

In addition, he had what he described as the privilege to welcome back to Cork the former Super Middleweight champion of the world Steve Collins.

The Lord Mayor believes his introduction of ‘The Lord Mayor’s Boxing Cup’ will further strengthen the bind between the sport and the Lord Mayor’s Office. 

In recent years, it has been a tradition of the Cork County Boxing Board to make an annual presentation to the incumbent Lord Mayor, prior to their departure from office.

Plans are currently in progress to invite a team from San Francisco to Cork next March. 

This would be a senior boxing event, and they would compete against a Cork selected team. 

Since 1985, both cities are twinned and it is hoped that the Mayor of San Francisco would travel to City Hall in conjunction with this prestigious inter-city sporting event.

In the last five years, a Cork boxing team has participated in international boxing tournaments twice, at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. 

Four Cork coaches travelled with the teams. 

Tom Murray, Tom Kelleher, Aine McLoughlin and Seanie Barrett were appointed by the board to travel.

Due to a world body ruling Ireland could not participate in the US in recent years, however, this has now been resolved and the link with San Francisco will resume.

To incorporate culture, heritage, sport and musical tradition it is proposed to organise a variety concert in the City Hall, followed by 10 bouts of first class senior boxing.

Patrons at the packed City Hall would enjoy a night to remember. 

The event would be streamed out to the world. 

It would be a proud night for the City of Cork, for boxing, and a spectacular opportunity to present the inaugural ‘Lord Mayor’s Cup.’