Conal Thomas presented with Cork boxing's premier accolade: the supreme Hall of Fame award

On Saturday morning last, during a boxing breakfast at the Muskerry Arms in Blarney, Conal Thomas was presented with Cork boxing's premier accolade, the supreme Hall of Fame award.

The presentation was made by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Fergal Dennehy and the announcement was warmly greeted by all guests who attended the function. 

This was also a great occasion for eight members of Cork clubs who were presented with silver plates in recognition of their commitment within their own clubs as volunteers, to promote and develop amateur boxing in Cork. 

The occasion was also graced by two of Cork's latest All-Ireland champions who won national intermediate titles recently and they were presented with gold medals.

Over the last 12 years Conal Thomas has been a very prominent official in many capacities within Cork boxing circles. 

Conal has served the sport as president of the Cork Boxing Fraternity Association and this body has sponsored many events within the annals of both amateur and professional boxing. 

Thomas is a proud son of Donegal but has emersed himself in Cork culture since his arrival on Leeside in 1981. 

Here, he met and married Majella and raised a family in the southern capital. 

He worked hard and became a captain of industry as he developed his company 'Conal's Tree Services Limited' operating nationwide he employed over one hundred personnel and was widely acknowledged as a leading tree surgeon.

Ten years ago, in 2016, Conal was president of the Loughmahon Boxing Club when that club won the Cork club of the year award. 

His daughter Shelly was a prominent member of that success winning a total of four All-Ireland medals. 

Conal then played a leading role in befriending and sponsoring Gary 'Spike'

O'Sullivan in his quest to become middleweight champion of the world. 

This journey took both men to many parts of the globe, culminating in Spike taking on the best middleweights in the universe and capturing amongst many others the WBO International Belt. 

Conal was also very prominent in the Steve Collins camp and organised the very successful three-day event in Cork in 2021 to mark the 25th anniversary of Collins winning and retaining his world crown in Cork over two memorable contests with Chris Eubank.

Conal Thomas also became a major sponsor for the Cork County Boxing Board and played a major role in the organising of boxing breakfasts and dinner-dances. 

He has been a friend to many and has also been associated as a volunteer with Cork Penny Dinners. 

To individualise his contribution and commitment would take both time, and many column inches, suffice to say he is truly worthy of the citation on his award.

Prior to the presentation the president of the county board Michael O'Brien gave a comprehensive outline of what Conal Thomas has done for all strands of Cork boxing.

"This was the ultimate recognition of his magnificent and rich legacy to the sport in Cork during its most progressive and successful period during the one-hundred-and-ten-year history of the County Board."

Cork's first citizen The Lord Mayor Cllr. Fergal Dennehy then formally made the presentation to Conal, who is also a trustee of the Glen BC the longest established club in the country.

The Lord Mayor then paid tribute to Conal's work and commitment to the sport, he cited many examples of his own which gave additional credence to the award and on behalf of the people of Cork congratulated the Donegal man who equally enjoys the status of honorary Cork man. The gathering of guests then showed their appreciation to a man who is loved admired and greatly revered on Leeside.

The Lord Mayor then presented two gold medals to Cork's national intermediate champions Jenovic Mbuyi from the Spartan club, and Ola Wahab from the Golden Gloves club. 

These two boxers did Cork proud. 

They were accompanied by their respective coaches, Paddy McSweeney and John Morrissey.

Eight members of Cork clubs were then presented with silver plates to acknowledge the work they were doing on behalf of their clubs and for their contribution to promoting the sport in Cork.

The president of the board said, it was the policy of the board to acknowledge and appreciate these members who as volunteers were making a collective contribution to reach the highest standards on behalf of all the athletes who participate in the sport in Cork. 

The awardees were: Hughie Brady, Riverstown BC, Jimmy Stanton, Mayfield BC, Pauline O'Regan, De Courcey BC, Leah O'Keeffe, Kanturk BC, Kieran Lingwood, Togher BC, John Crowley, Rylane BC, Stephen Hartnett, Spartan BC, and Andrew Thornton, Togher BC. 

Each award was presented by the Lord Mayor. 

The event was another outstanding success on the social side of the sport.

Michael O'Brien thanked the proprietor Gary O'Connor for his patronage of the occasion and paid tribute to his very helpful staff who along with the kitchen staff made for a special occasion which was immensely enjoyed by all.