The De Courcey Boxing Club tournament was a huge success with some fantastic fights on the night

The town hall in Bandon was the venue for the recent magnificent boxing tournament organised by the local De Courcey Boxing Club. 

This was a first class show and the capacity attendance contributed by cheering on the boxers in each and every bout on the card. 

Will Rossall and his team are to be congratulated on their attention to detail in the promotion of this event. 

All 14 bouts were well contested, resulting in some top-class boxing, where the packed to the rafter’s hall of patrons, enthusiastically showed their appreciation.

Amongst the day's great action there was riveting victorious performances from Cameron Burke, De Courcey BC, Aidan Healy, Spartan BC, while Chinney from the Glen BC, and Mensah from Clonakilty won two great bouts. 

The main event of the day was the super heavyweight contest where the local hero from the De Courcey Club Michael O'Donovan took on the very game opponent Aaron O'Connell from the Sliabh Luchra Club in Kerry.

The coveted prize on offer was the Jack McAuliffe World Champion replica belt. 

Jack McAuliffe, who came from the Middle Parish in Cork City, was the only Cork boxer to win an undisputed world title in 1886. 

His fame has lived on throughout the years and to this day in world boxing parlance, he is acknowledged as one of the greatest pugilists of all time. 

So, the scene was set for a rip-roaring contest, and from the first bell it was quick fire action all the way from two very committed athletes.

Following three tough gamely contested rounds where the attendance really got behind the local boxer, Michael O'Donovan then had his hand raised in victory and was presented with the famed belt by the President of the Cork County Boxing Board, Michael O'Brien. 

This concluded a great afternoon's boxing. 

Will Rossall, the club's head coach thanked all those who sponsored the club for their patronage in their endeavours to promote the tournament. Rossall was well assisted by fellow hard-working club members, Fiona, Dave and Teresa Burke, and Pauline O'Regan.

Elsewhere, on Saturday night last, the Kanturk Boxing Club held their annual tournament in the Edel Quinn Hall in the town. 

For many years this club has promoted boxing in the barony of Duhallow, and despite many obstacles it has always been to the fore in producing boxers who have brought great sporting honour to the club and the town.

The chief official on the night was John Wiseman, and he was pleased with the standard of competitive boxing in a show which was primarily organised by head coach Jim Mc Connell. 

Amongst the ten bouts on the card the pick of the performances came from Katie O'Keeffe. 

Katie has been an outstanding ambassador for her club and for Cork boxing. 

She is a very seasoned international boxer, who has won a record number of European junior championship medals, in addition to winning a multiplicity of county, Munster, and national titles. 

Last weekend, she gave a vintage performance to overcome tough opposition from a game Shelly Leel from England. 

Her display earned Katie the top boxer accolade and this victory sent the local supporters home happy and brought the curtain down on a very enjoyable Kanturk Boxing Club tournament.

Elsewhere, the final round of the 2024 Cork Boxing Leagues took place at the splendid Cove Boxing Club last Thursday night. 

This was a great venue for this competition and all clubs who participated over the last ten weeks were loud in their praise of the local club and their facilities. 

The Cork County Board has expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the club for hosting this competition and look forward to working with the club in the future.

Meanwhile, the dates for the Cork County Boxing Championships have been announced. 

Last year there was a record entry, and this could be well surpassed this year, such is the phenomenal growth in amateur boxing in Cork. 

These championships will take place over two weekends, the 24th and the 25th of January, and the 31st of January and 1st February 2026. 

The venue for the championships is Ireland's oldest boxing club is The Glen Boxing Club in Blackpool.