Saturday's Boxing Breakfast was one of the best ever held according to those in attendance

Over the last 15 years the Cork Boxing Breakfast has become iconic in status having honoured many of the great exponents of the noble art on Leeside, and on last Saturday morning the pugilists celebrated the outstanding contributions of many more.

Once again, The Muskerry Arms Restaurant in Blarney played host to another spectacular event. 

This was another gathering of the great and the good in Cork Boxing representing many generations, people who had not met each other in years relished the occasion, while others were taken aback at how professional the presentation of the sport has become in Cork today. 

The proceedings got underway when the president of the Cork County Boxing Board welcomed all, and paid tribute to his fellow officers, whom he described as arguably the best county board in Irish boxing.

The MC, then introduced the guest speaker who was Dan O’Connell, the recently elected new president of the Cork Ex-Boxers Association. 

O'Connell has a long association with Cork Boxing going back to 1970. 

He is a former president of the county board and the Munster Council. 

In his address, Dan reminded all that occasions such as this boxing breakfast were unique and that no other county board in the country had anything like it.

O'Connell said it was an honour for him now as president of CEBA, the Cork Ex-Boxers Association to attempt to move the association forward and to move with the times and the technology. 

To this end, he added plans are now afoot to build a professional website, which will act as a tool to showcase our work and ambitions, and it will provide a new opportunity for many to look and see and possibly join CEBA as a member or as an associate member.

In an excellent speech, which was very well delivered, Dan unearthed a few more nuggets of wisdom in addition to closing his address with the delightful news that the Cork Ex-Boxers association will be delighted to sponsor the next Cork Boxing Breakfast which is scheduled to take place on Saturday 7th, November next.

As the various presentations got underway, the MC, reminded all guests that as a sport boxing has been linked to many generations who down through the years had some member of their extended family involved. 

This is why from time to time we attempt to create an all-embracing link with the general community. 

The buzz in the function hall was now riveting, and this point was made tellingly by Neilie Dunne, the former Sunnyside Irish heavyweight champion who said he never in his life experienced the energy which was generating around the hall. 

Pointing to very experienced coaches huddled together, Michael Roofe quipped 'look at that, Mathews, Morrissey, Murray, and Kelleher, if they heard of them down the mall, they might think they were a firm of solicitors.'

The first award went to the very popular coach Danny Mathews in recognition of his great contribution as a quality coach who turned out very stylish boxers. 

Callum Walsh, who is currently making a great name for himself in the professional ranks was at the beginning of his career coached by Danny. This presentation to Danny was made by Dan O'Connell.

To mark a great milestone in the annals of Cork boxing, Katie O'Keeffe received a special presentation, having recently won an Irish U23 title. 

The Kanturk Club athlete has now won ten national titles. 

The presentation was made by elite champion Linda Desmond.

Seanie Morrissey, after a lifetime of service to the sport, was acknowledged and praised loudly for his great service, this presentation was made by Tommy Kelleher. 

For their support to the community and to the Glen Boxing Club two local gardaí, Maria Gerathy and Jacueline White, received appreciation awards to acknowledge the important and significant role they play within the greater Blackpool area of the city.

The Spartan BC had an awardee in Maria O'Gorman, who has given the club great service and the presentation was made by the president of the Cork Boxing Fraternity Association, Conal Thomas. 

For his outstanding work in filming and recording many Cork Boxing events, Daniel O'Connell received a very well merited appreciation award, this was presented by Mick O'Brien. 

A special presentation was made to the great Cork sporting all-rounder Cyril Kavanagh. 

The two big boxing presentations went to Anthony Connolly and Declan Higgins and their stories will be featured in next week's column. 

The gathering enjoyed listening to the three magnificent songsters who are now part of the stable diet and last Saturday’s renditions were delivered by the legendary Donie Carroll, the mesmerising Derry McCarthy and the man with the hat, Cyril 'the bird' Kavanagh.

The president thanked the proprietors of the Muskerry Arms, Gary and Jerome O'Connor for sponsoring the breakfast and he presented Gary with a special edition of the Cork County Boxing Championship medal.