Claire Crowley, representing the St Martha's BC is rated one of the best young boxers to ever come out of Cork

Once again, it was another roller coaster week in the world of Cork boxing with jubilant scenes celebrating further national success, while outside of the ring, the sport paid tribute to some of it's great athletes and servants, however, the week was also tinged with sadness following the passing of a great northside boxing hero.                  

On Saturday last, at the National Stadium in Dublin, Claire Crowley, representing the St Martha's BC, from Carrigtwohill, following a riveting performance, completely outclassed her opponent, and was crowned All-Ireland 60kg champion. 

At 16 years of age, this young athlete has displayed on many occasions great potential, and enjoyed success as an international. 

Last weekend's victory culminated in Claire winning her ninth national title. 

At 16, this is a phenomenal achievement and was only bettered by Cork's greatest women's boxer of all time, Christina Desmond, who at the same age had amassed a staggering total of ten national titles.

However, Claire, her latest success has seen her crowned U19 All-Ireland champion is ahead of her time and if she continues is on the cusp of enjoying a phenomenal career in amateur boxing.                      

Meanwhile, The Muskerry Arms Restaurant in Blarney, hosted the latest Cork Boxing Breakfast last Saturday morning. 

It was a great occasion of celebration, and joy for the boxing guests, many of whom with great relish, devoured the splendid hearty Irish breakfast which were served by a very pleasant and efficient staff. 

The main event was the naming of the 2026 Cork Boxing Club of The Year.

Following a drum role, provided by members of the Groves Bugle club, Golden Gloves BC, was announced as Leeside's top boxing club.

The decision was met with universal approval and head coach John Morrissey affectionately known throughout the boxing world as 'King Kong Morrissey' modestly accepted the most illustrious of Cork's perpetual trophies, The Victor Aston Cup, sponsored by Dan O'Connell and presented by the late Victor's daughter Vicky, accompanied by her daughter and grandaughter. 

Members of the Aston family were guests of The Cork County Board at this function. 

This was the second occasion in four years that Golden Gloves had received the ultimate status as the king pins of Cork boxing. 

Few if any, could deny them their year in the sun. 

This club has enjoyed staggering success over the last four years, producing top class male and female boxers in every grade. 

The club has produced champions and this is down to the phenomenal experience, knowledge, and ring craft of the head coach John Morrissey.

In addition to unpresedented success at under age and juvenile level's, he has moulded winner's also as cadet champions and has worked the oracle in adult boxing, guiding to national glory JJ Long as a national novice champion. 

Three senior champions, Aaron O'Donoghue, Shane Cunningham, who won the title after four never to be forgotten bouts, where he received four cut eye lids and four 3-2 split decisions, this was a master stroke of Morrissey Magic. 

The third senior title for the Golden Gloves Boxing Club was won by Kuba Pielesz, and the two elite titles which is the flagship of Irish boxing were recorded under Morrissey's coaching techniques by Aaron O'Donoghue and Tommy McCarthy. 

In addition, the Taoiseach Micheal Martin has in recent years presented The Paddy Martin Cup for the Cork Boxer of the year to three Golden Gloves boxers, Aaron O'Donoghue, Kuba Pielesz, and William Heaphy. 

This club has also produced a host of young male and female international boxers, many of whom have been invited to train at the National High Performance Unit in Abbottstown.  

At the function John was invited to say a few words, however he declined  and simply said all his talking was done through his boxers in the ring. He did pay tribute to the Golden Gloves physical trainer Conor Connolly, whom he declared one of the best ever, and a man who got every ounce out of the athletes. 

Last year's winners of the Victor Aston Cup were Mayfield BC, and they were presented with a plaque to acknowledge their success as winners on two occasions, 2017 and 2025. 

This was presented by former president of the County Board and sponsor Dan O'Connell. 

Other great Cork boxing volunteers who were honoured included John Casey, the famed international referee and judge, with the Spartan BC, Mary O'Flynn, East Cork BC, and Vanc O'Connell, Kanturk BC. 

Their contributions to the Cork boxing story will be featured subsequently in the Echo. 

The president of the board Mick O'Brien thanked all for helping to make the occasion another great social success, and in particular he thanked Cyril 'the bird' Kavanagh, aka Stevie Wonder, Grainne Goff, for her magnificent photography work, and direct from Hollywood Cyscil B Demills otherwise known as a great film maker Daniel O'Connell, who has been a great friend to Cork boxing in latter years. 

Elsewhere, on Friday night, at the Metropole Hotel, Shane Forde was presented with the Cork Indoor Sports Award for boxing. 

The presentation was made by his fellow Togher BC colleague Cllr Fergal Dennehy, the Lord Mayor of Cork. 

This was a historic boxing occasion for the club with further details subsequently featured on this page in the coming weeks. 

Finally, this week it is with great sadness that Cork boxing learned of the death of a great northside Cork boxing hero, Harry Butt. 

He was honoured at a Cork Boxing Breakfast in 2017. 

He was further honoured at the Cork Ex-Boxers Golden Jubilee dinner in April 2022. 

On that occasion he did a bit of shadow boxing with the guest of honour An Taoiseach Micheal Martin. 

To the delight of all, the Taoiseach requested his autograph and the smiling Harry immediately obliged. 

This will always be a cherished memory recorded in the annals of Cork boxing folklore. 

The sympathy of all in Cork boxing has been extended to the Butt family.       

May he rest in peace.