Juvenile and colleges boxing took centre stage last weekend at the National Stadium

Last weekend saw another two-day cycle of very competitive boxing action at the juvenile championships, which this year were run parallel with the All-Ireland senior college's championships, with both events taking place at the National Stadium. 

For Cork boxers their were mixed results, however the experience gained will stand all athletes in good stead when they return to the ancestral home of Irish boxing in the future. 

Golden Gloves BC international boxer Ellie Murray got the Leeside celebrations underway following a decisive victory over over Lilly Towland from the Ring BC, in the 55k kg final. 

This was another display of class boxing from an athlete who has a great future in the sport and over the last three years she has done her club and her county proud. 

The focus of concentration for Cork clubs then moved to the colleges national senior championships. 

This arena provided a hat-trick of joy for the southern capital representatives. 

Once again, the Spartan Boxing Club had an athlete on the winners podium.

For club coaches Paddy McSweeney and Stephen Hartnett, this was another occasion to savour as Hannah Zaidan was crowned an All-Ireland colleges national champion. 

Hannah diplayed grit, fire and determination in her quest for glory and her magnificent victory set another example of encouragement for all within the very progressive club. 

The club president Cllr Sean Martin extended his congratulations to Hannah and her two proud coaches. 

The second Cork victory at these championships was recorded by the Kanturk pocket-rocket Katie O'Keeffe. 

Even at such a young age Katie has become a boxing legend in the Barony of Duhallow. 

This was her ninth All-Ireland success and she has achieved this glory while blazing a trail not only throughout Ireland, but across the continent of Europe as well. 

She has a record total of all colour's European Championship medals, and was presented with the Paddy 'the champ' Martin cup by an Taoiseach Micheal Martin at Cork Ex-Exboxers Association Golden Jubille Dinner which took place at the Rochestown Park Hotel in April 2022. 

The third colleges national title was secured by the very popular Ola Wahib. 

Ola is a proud product of Swash Buckling Golden Gloves Club. 

This club has the path worn to the victory rostrum in the National Stadium. 

One northside Cork wit, standing outside the church in Blackpool recently said, the IABA in Dublin may as well put Morrissey's own stool at the side of the ring in the National Stadium as he is sitting up there more often than he is in Cork. 

As said that way by one of his peers this is the ultimate acolade for recognition on Leeside. 

While said in jest it really drives home to even those who don't want to see that John Morrissey and his coaches at Golden Gloves have put senior boxing in Cork very much to the fore in recent years. 

Following another exhibition of toe-to-toe boxing, Ola was far to experienced for his opponent. 

Last November Ola was crowned national senior champion and last Saturday afternoon put the icing on the cake when he completed the double. Last weekend saw Leeside boxers return with four nationl titles, and this success rate would rekindle the spirit throughout the highways and byways of the southern terrain. 

Corcaigh Abu. 

On Friday morning, 20th March at 11am in the Glen Boxing Club Blackpool, Fr Con O'Doherty will celebrate mass for all deceased Cork boxers and followers of the sport. 

This date was selected as it is the anniversary date of the death of former Lord Mayor of Cork Tomas MacCurtain, who at the time of his death was the president of the Glen Boxing Club. 

The current Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy will do the readings. 

The High Hopes Choir will sing throughout the mass when all former boxers will be fondly remembered. 

Following the mass refreshments will be served and then there will be an opportunity for all to travel down memory lane by visiting the magnificent Tomas MacCurtain Museum. 

This invitation has been extended to all. 

Elsewhere, on Saturday afternoon, commencing at 4pm, a mouth-watering senior boxing tournament takes place at the GAA Pavillon in Bandon. This is a joint promotion by the local DeCourcey BC, and Golden Gloves. 

Will Rossall, the head coach with DeCorsey is looking forward to the event.

"This will be a first class tournament with all very evenly matched bouts, it will be a spectacular sporting event, and provide patrons with an opportunity to see first hand the current high standard in Cork senior boxing."

The DeCourcey club along with Golden Gloves have been renowned for promoting some of the greatest senior boxing shows on leeside in recent years. 

This is a boxing belt tournament and this ensures that only the very best will be competing.