Bumper week for Cork boxing with several tournaments and a Lord Mayor's reception for clubs

The past seven days has been a bumper week for Cork boxing, incorporating a Lord Mayor's reception at the city hall, an outstanding senior boxing event; and an action-packed club tournament, organised by Mayfield BC, the Cork club of the year.

On Tuesday night, the Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy hosted a reception for the Cork County Boxing Board. 

This was a very special night for many club members who were there to receive awards. 

These presentations were made to members who had given trojan service to their own clubs over many years. 

Each was presented with a distinguished service silver plate. 

The occasion was graced with a visit from the new IABA Chief Executive Officer Gary Stuart, and he received a very warm Leeside welcome from all who attended.

The Lord Mayor spoke of the long tradition which existed between the City Hall and Cork boxing. 

He said he saluted the outstanding work done by all clubs and their coaches and he paid tribute to John Wiseman, secretary, and the Cork County Boxing Board for the excellent work they have done on behalf of boxing in the city and county of Cork over many years.

The Lord Mayor welcomed the new CEO to the City Hall and heartily congratulated all in helping to bring a record number of 53 All-Ireland titles across all grades, to the Rebel County in the last year. 

The president of the board Michael O’Brien thanked the Lord Mayor for his hospitality, and also thanked all the board's sponsors for their ongoing support. 

The president also outlined many issues which need to be addressed by the IABA.

Each one of these issues was outlined in great detail to educate the new CEO in respect of attempting to bring fresh thinking to the table and move forward in a more transparent and constructive way.

In his address to the guests Gary Stuart said he would take everything on board, and he could not disagree with the issues identified for review. He praised the board for the large volume of work undertaken in Cork and said he was very impressed with the gender balance in Cork. 

All four Cork female officers were present, Louise Forde, Nicola Murphy, Aine McLoughlin and Rose Murphy.

The focal point of the evening was the presentations. 

The purpose of these awards was to honour the service of many volunteers who did remarkable work within their own clubs in various capacities. Twelve club members from a wide range of clubs within the city and county were selected with the recipients being six male, and six female winners. 

These members were presented with silver salvers by the CEO Gary Stuart.

A full two-page special on these awards will be published in the Echo, on Tuesday, 28th November. 

However, on the night there were three other special presentations. 

Waterford man Larry Durand, who attended accompanied by his wife, was made a special presentation by the Cork County Board in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport and his dedication to duty over the last 21 years as medical registrar in Munster. 

The presentation was made by Louise Forde, the Cork Registrar. 

The next award was presented to Don Murray, who is the longest surviving All-Ireland champion in Cork.

The presentation was made by Linda Desmond, who is Cork's latest national elite champion and the third recognition went to the Cove Boxing Club to acknowledge the high standard of their newly opened premises, which was officially opened by An Taoiseach Micheàl Martin three months ago.

Meanwhile, the two boxing events over the weekend had large crowds flocking to both venues. 

The senior boxing tournament had a fantastic bill with some great boxing for a Cork public who both appreciated and relished the first-class boxing which took place at the St Vincent's GAA complex. 

John Morrissey once again came up trumps and succeeded in putting on a show worthy of the term senior boxing. 

The following day, on Sunday afternoon, the Mayfield BC show was another cracker.

These bouts were very well matched, a great crowd got behind all the boxers, and the public enjoyed some very competitive contests. 

Mayfield are the Cork Boxing Club of the Year, and they are also the county boxing championship specialists, they hold the two club titles, and they don’t intend to relinquish them easily. 

This was a superb tournament.

Elsewhere, it was with great sadness on last Sunday morning that we learned of the passing of Peter O'Donnell, the president of the Donegal County Boxing Board. 

Wee Peter, as he was affectionately known, may have been small in stature, but he had the heart of a lion and was a giant in the world of Irish boxing. 

Peter, who died aged 75, devoted a long life to promoting the sport in Donegal and throughout Ulster. 

He was also the MC in the national stadium for many years and was very popular with boxing people all over Ireland.

Cork Boxing will be represented at the funeral by Conal Thomas, who was also a great friend of Peter's. 

The sympathy of the Cork County Boxing Board has been extended to Peter's wife and family. 

May he rest in peace.