Cork Boxing honours Caitriona Twomey for the outstanding role she plays in Cork people's lives

A Cork Boxing Breakfast to celebrate the magnificent contribution made by women to the sport took place in Blarney last Saturday morning with the keynote speaker being the legendary humanitarian Caitriona Twomey.

This event took place in the function hall of the Muskerry Arms and host Gary O'Connor was on hand to greet all. 

The president of the county boxing board welcomed all and said he was very proud of the board’s decision to honour Cork women in boxing and proud of the board's fundamental policy of equality at all times within the sport in Cork.

The guest of honour, Caitriona Twomey in her wide-ranging address, said she was pleased to address the function.

"I am delighted to stand before you today and speak on gender balance.

"This is not just a goal, it's a fundamental right.

"Traditionally, boxing is a male dominated sport but you people in Cork have shattered that stereotype. 

"It's fantastic now to see women and men train side by side in the boxing gyms and this is progress which must be welcomed and celebrated by all. 

"The progress made in Cork boxing is an example to all in every community.

"Let’s bring this spirit forward at every opportunity to create a stronger and better society."

Following this Caitriona received a prolonged standing ovation before she was presented with a boxing memento by Conal Thomas, president of the Cork Boxing Fraternity Association. 

Caitriona Twomey did the honours on the day, to salute Cork women in the sport, she made special presentations to Nicola Murphy and Louise Forde, both who are board officers to acknowledge their year's of dedication to the promotion of the sport. 

Following this, current elite double champion Linda Desmond made a presentation of international pennant's to Ellie Murray and Katelyn Butler.

A silver salver was presented to Irene Morrissey and Ellie Murray was presented with a bronze statue to celebrate her winning a bronze medal at the European U15 championships.

This presentation was made by Katie O'Keeffe, the holder of a record number of European Junior championship medals. 

A full report on this unique occasion will follow at a later date. 

The Boxing Breakfast was generously sponsored by businessman Tom Murray of the Muskerry Boxing Club. 

On Saturday, at Colaiste Choilim, Main Street in Ballincollig, the local Muskerry club will promote a top-class tournament. 

Some very competitive bouts are matched which will ensure an afternoon of top-class boxing commencing at 2pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, despite the very severe weather conditions, the Glen Boxing Centenary Tournament took place on schedule last Friday night. 

This auspicious event was patronised by a very large attendance. 

From 8am that morning, the Glen Boxing Flag fluttered proudly in the gale force breeze. 

This was a day to celebrate the sport of boxing in Blackpool and mark the centenary of the club's first tournament which took place one hundred years ago.

This was a first-class show, and the senior bouts were very well-matched providing supporters with a great night's boxing. 

Here the boxer's representing various club's encouraged by the crowd fought tooth and nail and left everything in the ring in their quest for glory on a historic night in the annal's of Glen boxing history. 

The Glen head coach Tom Kelleher, ably assisted by that great match-maker from Togher BC, Shane Forde, were well pleased at the end of the night, following the great display of competitive boxing which they provided for a very appreciative Cork boxing audience.

Amongst the many athletes who competed at the show were a few boxers from the famed Portlaoise Club led by Pat Ryan, the former national president of the IABA.

It was both fitting and ironic that Ryan should be associated with the Glen's centenary tournament as when he was the president of the IABA in 2016, he honoured the Glen by making a presentation to the club to mark the foundation of the club which took place in 1916. 

That presentation by Pat Ryan was made in the ring before a full house at the National Stadium on elite final's night, and the recipient on behalf of the Glen BC, was the sprightly veteran coach Tommy Kelleher. 

To this day, this man continues to give his all, to the club defying age injury and medical science.

The tournament centenary night was well supported by club members from all over the city and county, and many old faces from yesteryear were delighted to attend. 

A special souvenir programme was published to mark a very special night. 

Dan O'Connell, the former president of the Munster Council, and the Cork County Boxing Board, was on hand to present the medals assisted by Nicola Murphy, treasurer of the county board. 

The magnificent centenary medals were sponsored by that great benefactor to Cork Boxing Donie Carroll based in New York.

Elsewhere, the official opening of the revamped Bishop Lucey Park took place at 2pm last Friday. 

The rain lashed and the wind blew and disappointingly prevented many from attending the opening ceremony which was performed by the Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy. 

The main focus for this writer was the newly renovated boxing wall, and it must be said the contractor in association with the city council architects produced a magnificent edifice which does the history of Cork boxing proud. 

This is further embellished by the provision of a lighting system which creates a beautiful atmosphere at the wall by night.

Over the past weekend this wall has attracted hundreds of viewers and in addition to the fantastic boxing museum in the Glen Boxing Club named after their first president Tomas MacCurtain, the cherished history of Cork boxing is now respected, recorded, and well chronicled.

On behalf of all in Cork boxing, the president of the county board Michael O'Brien thanked the Cork City Council for their appreciation of the sport and helping to secure the history, heritage and tradition of the noble art on Leeside.