Seven Cork boxers record All-Ireland glory in the boys and girls 1,2,3, categories in Dublin

It was another magnificent symphony of Leeside boxing success for rebel young guns at the National Stadium last weekend, when a further seven Cork boxers recorded All-Ireland glory in the boys and girls 1,2,3, categories.

Once again, this year the Cork coaches in all clubs are beating the drum to match another momentous melody yielding more sublime days of sunshine and success for the young pugilists from the southern capital. 

The Cork County Boxing Board has extended best wishes to all boxers who participated in this year’s national championships and warmly congratulates our magnificent seven who mounted the victory rostrum to keep the Cork flag flying proudly in the ancestral home of Irish amateur boxing. 

Our victors last weekend were Emma White St Colman’s BC, Jamie O'Donnell, Charleville BC, Tommy Lee McCarthy, Mayfield BC, Ryan Murphy, Mayfield BC, Annaliase Heaphey, Golden Gloves BC, Michael O'Reilly, Togher BC, and Dan Fitzgerald, Mayfield BC. 

Next weekend is the last in this year’s series of this category and the rebel roar will be led by Leah Cairns of the Golden Gloves club when she contests the final of the 49kg girl 3 All-Ireland championship.

Meanwhile, for many years now the Cork Boxing Board has been advocating and constantly attempting to encourage the IABA in Dublin to create a proper sporting atmosphere around the environs of the National Stadium. 

The auditorium itself has a splendid layout, conducive to great viewing all round. 

However, on entering the historical venue, which opened in 1939, the foyer and surround areas leave a lot be desired, simply because the walls are bare and completely devoid of recording any of the great boxing moments of an organisation which was established in 1911.

As has often been said there is a better atmosphere in the most run-down funeral parlour than there is in the entrance to a stadium which has an illustrious and proud sporting history, boasting four Olympic gold medals and universally acknowledged as Ireland's most successful sport at the greatest show on earth, since our first participation at the Olympics in 1924.

Over many years, and submitting various letters highlighting this embracing dilemma, the response was a stoney silence. 

When this matter was raised at the annual conventions the answer was always, oh there is no money there to do that - when the real reason was, there is no will or initiative to do it.

Over many years in the IABA there is a culture within the remit of a very small minority of making sure there is money available for trips and tours for the boxers and officials. 

This is very laudable and important but, many of the same officials have hogged and dogged these trips to the exclusion of many young managers and coaches who are constantly being ignored as they attempt to climb on to the ladder which will give them the international travel experience, they crave, and with great justification.

Following his appointment as the new CEO at the end of last year, Garry Stuart was invited to Cork. 

He was welcomed by the Lord Mayor at the City hall. 

A huge attendance representing the vast majority of clubs were present. 

Prior to addressing the gathering the CEO listened to a litany of very positive suggestions to improve the organisation which came from the club members that night. 

Some of the comments were harsh and hard but all very truthful and delivered with a deep passion for the love of the sport. 

Gary Stuart responded and said he heard clearly what the Cork clubs had to say.

Since his first visit the CEO has been to Cork on a number of occasions. 

What was said in Cork at his first meeting most certainly did not fall on deaf ears. 

With great haste the National Stadium is now being revamped at various levels.

This innovative manifesto of clearly defined change is at the direction of Gary Stuart, to date he has shown himself to be a man of word in action and the IABA is now in excellent place under his experience and guidance. 

Equally, the President of the IABA Anthony Donnelly has brought a great freshness to the post of president. 

He too is a very constructive forward thinker who to date has made a big impact. 

The combination of these two men working together will this writer believes echo in a new dawn, thus creating a very bright horizon for a great future for amateur boxing on the Emerald Isle.

Elsewhere, last weekend, the officers of the Cork County Boxing Board made a presentation to the evergreen Mick Devane to mark his 95th birthday. 

Mick is a cherished member of the Cork boxing family. 

As the most senior of the elders at 95, he now enjoys the title of chieftain.

Mick Devane was truly delighted with the acclamation he received; however, this was one he truly deserved. 

For close to forty years, he gave great service to boxing, as a club founder member and board delegate. 

Allied to this he gave sterling service to the Cork County Board, both as a treasurer, and ringside timekeeper for many years. 

Many fine tributes were paid to Mick during the past week, and for a man who was always known as the voice of reason in Cork boxing circles, the Cork County Board presentation was a very deserved accolade.