Cork County Boxing Board unveil their new calendar of events for the new season

Following another phenomenal year of unprecedented success, some great work has been done behind the scenes in recent weeks which has now consolidated with dates and times unveiled for the Cork County Boxing Board programme of events for the new season.

The annual general meeting of the board will take place on Tuesday 22nd September. 

Elections take place every two years for all officerships within the IABA at county, provincial, and national levels, as this is an election year, all posts once again remain to be filled, and if there are any aspiring sporting legislators who wish to participate in the upcoming elections you will be more than welcome to put your hat in the ring.

The annual national convention will then follow in October, and Cork will table a number of constructive motions, which should stimulate boxing minds and provide some very lively debate on topics which are long overdue to be discussed and voted upon accordingly. 

In this column last week, the issue of the very long national boxing championships campaign was raised, and the feedback was enormous. 

Over 80% of respondents are now requesting a closed season, a cutoff point, and as one official put it, '' let’s give overworked volunteers an opportunity to draw their breath.''

Meanwhile, in the next couple of weeks all Cork club coaches and secretaries will be given an opportunity to make suggestions or submissions as to any changes they would like to see pertaining to the sport both inside and outside of the ring. T

his quarry is a broad chapel, and one can reflect on the following, judging, refereeing, warm up areas, gloves, medics, boxers books, championship draws, box-offs and the specific insurance available under the terms of club affiliation etc.

All who respond will be given an opportunity to attend a meeting where all matters will be fully discussed and legally prepared prior to being submitted for discussion at the convention.

Elsewhere, The Cork Ex-Boxers group met recently and outlined their plans going forward. 

The last two years has seen the passing of many of the old guard, however prior to his death founder member Tim O'Sullivan said he would like to see it kept going and as this request has come from a founder member the onus is now on the current membership to continue to fly the flag which has flown proudly since 1972. 

A marketing drive for new members is now underway, and the feedback is very encouraging. 

The group will meet officially on Saturday, 24th July and the new committee will be elected.

This will then guarantee the annual great day in Bishop Lucey Park in September where the tradition has been for the Lord Mayor of Cork alongside the president of the Ex-Boxers Association to lead in parade all of Cork's current year All-Ireland champions around the park to the musical overtures of the famed Butter Exchange Band. 

This is always a great spectacle and a proud occasion for the boxers and their parents and friends. 

This will be a splendid occasion created by the Cork Ex-Boxers Association and magnificently compliments the work of the Cork County Boxing Board.

On the Social Scene, the next Cork Boxing Breakfast will take place after the summer holiday season. 

Saturday, 19th September at the Muskerry Arms in Blarney, further Cork boxing stars from the past will be honoured.

The awardees that day will be acknowledged for the contribution they made to the sport. 

Last month a plaque was unveiled in the Muskerry Arms to commemorate a local Blarney boxer Con Clarke, who was the first Leesider to win the Irish amateur boxing heavyweight title in 1922. 

At this event, was the last Corkman to hold the Irish Heavyweight title. 

The year was 1978 and the champion was the great Neili Dunne.

Neili was accompanied by two boxing colleagues from the past Liam Cotter and Bernard O'Regan. 

Neili was coached by the legendary Albie Murphy. 

Dunne became a trail blazer for the Sunnyside Club, and nineteen more senior/elite titles made their way to a club once described by boxing commentator the late Noel Andrews as `the land of the rising sun`. 

The colourful Neili also had another string to his bow. He was selected to box for Ireland against the United States in Boston soon after his national stadium success.

Prior to the fight, the American anthem was played, and the yanks then moved to play 'Danny Boy' for Ireland, however, Neili was having none of that. 

Officials explained there was some mix up and they could not locate the Irish anthem. 

Neili told them he would soon fix that- but how can you they wondered. 

Neili then walked to the centre of the ring with the tricolour in his hand, and to the amazement of all he gave a magnificent rendition of Amhràn na bhfiann. 

His opponent was standing in the corner looking on bewildered, and that poor boxer was mentally well beaten before the first bell ever rang.