Three Cork boxers who won gold medals at the world tournament in Florida are honoured

The three Cork boxers who recently represented their country and their clubs at a world tournament in Florida returned to Leeside in triumph as three gold medal champions.

Claire Crowley, St Martha's BC, Abbey Murray, Muskerry BC and William Heaphy, Golden Gloves BC, were congratulated on their remarkable achievements by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy. 

Prior to their departure to Florida this victorious group were received the Lord Mayor at City Hall where he presented them with international pennants to publicly acknowledge these athletes who were selected as part of the Irish international team.

The Lord Mayor's reception was a splendid occasion for the boxers, their coaches and their families. 

All fully appreciated the Lord Mayor's warm welcome and hospitality. 

John Morrisey, the Golden Gloves coach and Tom Murray, the Muskerry coach had enjoyed the experience of previous visits to the City Hall. However, for the St Martha's BC coach Kevin Crowley it was a first such occasion. 

Kevin was accompanied by his wife and other family members, and he said they all fully enjoyed the afternoon in the company of the Lord Mayor. Crowley, the father of All-Ireland champion and international boxer Claire said this.

"This was my first time in the Lord Mayor's office, and it turned out to be a very special occasion for all boxers and their families.

"I also wish to pay tribute to Tom Power, the other St Martha's coach who did great work in helping to develop my daughter into a national champion."

Crowley also congratulated the Cork County Board for organising the event.

Meanwhile, Will Rossall, the head coach with the De Courcey Club based in Bandon has completed the setting up of a working committee to fully explore an opportunity for Cork to host an annual box cup. 

Rossall is the chairman of this committee and he said this recently.

"There are many complexities in organising an international competition and we will prepare a comprehensive report for the board’s consideration."

The initial draft is expected within six months. 

Rossall, who has made great strides with his own club has many international contacts and the president of the Cork Board Michael O'Brien said of him recently: “Will has a tremendous work ethic and specialises in attention to detail. 

"We have a first class man on this assignment and I am looking forward to receiving his recommendations in the new year.” 

Elsewhere, the IABA at national level have decided to postpone all elections which were due to take place this year. 

This includes the election of officers to county boards and provincial councils etc. 

These elections will now take place in 2026 and all posts from national president down may be contested.

In Cork, the board has enjoyed another outstanding year. 

The composition of the Leeside board includes the experienced chess nuts, Wiseman, Casey and O’Brien. 

Working in harmony with the dynamic female duo of Nicola Murphy, treasurer and Louise Ford, registrar they are a great team. 

The executive committees work is further enhanced by the important roles of child protection office Aine McLoughlin and ringside time keeper Rose Murphy.

On Friday last, the county board received an email from Gary Stewart, the new CEO of the IABA in Dublin. 

In his communication Mr Stewart said he has been inspired by the people who give their time and expertise to help sustain and grow boxing at every level across Ireland. 

And he stated his intention is in the next couple of months to meet every county board and provincial council to educate himself on their needs and what members think the future of the IABA should look like.

For years, the Cork Boxing Board has been very disillusioned with the IABA in Dublin as they believe the association has failed to capitalise on the success achieved by boxers at international and Olympic levels. 

Boxing is Ireland's most successful Olympic sport and this fact has been lost in the strands of time by people who have no idea how to market the sport. 

In 1992, Michael Carruth became the first boxer to win an Olympic gold medal. 

The nation celebrated his success and thousands flocked to his home coming parade.

This man was a trail blazer for the sport and if the right people were in place to represent the IABA the sport from a marketing perspective would today be flourishing. 

To this day, the IABA have failed to properly honour this man and subsequently they also failed to honour Olympians Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington. 

Cork County Board secretary John Wiseman said this.

"Let’s hope the new CEO engages with people from Cork and when he does he will be comprehensively educated in the art of marketing and how to honour our boxers in a meaningful way.” 

The sympathy of the Cork County Boxing Board has been extended to the Lowther and Kelleher families of the Glen Boxing Club following the recent sad passing of Jessica Lowther. 

May she rest in Peace.