Anthony Connolly has given a lifetime of service to his beloved Glen Boxing Club

To mark 50 years of service to boxing the chairman of the Glen Boxing Club Anthony Connolly will be welcomed to City Hall by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan on Thursday, 1st October.

Connolly has made a remarkable contribution to the sport and is a worthy recipient of the warm invitation extended to him by Cork`s first citizen. Born into a boxing family, Anthony's late father Jim was also very prominent member in the Glen Boxing Club where he gave over 30 years service. 

For many years now Anthony has been around the rings and ropes, and the spirit of the sport is within him, and he continues to share his knowledge of the sport with many young boxers of today, however, whilst his commitment on a daily basis to the club is huge, he considers this to be a labour of love.

At 10 years of age the young Connolly Joined the Glen BC. 

From an early age he showed a great flair for the sport. 

He was a natural boxer who left everything in the ring, and he was also acknowledged as a tough customer. 

Connolly went on to win four All-Ireland titles, many Munster championships and numerous county titles. 

His coach was John Martin and Connolly remained under his coaching tuition for all his career. 

There is an old saying that if you fell on dark night in Blackpool, you would have fallen over either a hurley or a boxing glove.

These two sporting institutions, Glen Rovers Hurling Club and the Glen Boxing Club are linked since their foundation in Spring Lane since 1916. John Martin, Connolly's coach also hurled with the Glen and subsequently went on to become the president of the Cork County Boxing Board. Connolly had a close relationship with John Martin for many years made and a presentation to him a year or two prior to his death in the Glen Boxing Club.

At a recent boxing breakfast, the Glen BC Chairman was presented with a watch by the county board secretary John Wiseman and Sean Martin, son of the late John was on hand to congratulate Anthony on his Golden Jubilee achievement. 

This was a great occasion for Anthony and for all the members of his family, who were proudly present. 

Connolly received tributes from many sporting associates including the former Super Middleweight champion of the world and adopted son of Leeside, the legendary Steve Collins. 

It was also a unique occasion at the boxing breakfast in Blarney when Anthony sported the first Glen Boxing Club blazer and he modestly proclaimed himself to be a trend setter.

Recently, the Glen Boxing Club underwent major renovations. 

On Sunday last, there was an open day of sparring with clubs from all parts of the city and county participating. 

This was a great occasion for many young athletes as they experienced the new ultra-modern Olympic sized ring. 

Many other renovations undertaken by the club included roofs, walls, ceilings, and railings etc.

There has always been a great standard of high maintenance in the Glen Boxing Club, but the latest improvements have magnificently enhanced the reputation of Ireland's oldest Boxing Club, and great credit in bringing this plan to fruition must go to the head coach Tommy Kelleher, chairman Anthony Connolly, treasurer Clodagh Mackey Pelan and secretary Carla O'Driscoll Silva.

Today, the Glen BC have set a standard for every boxing club in the country.

The driving force and inspiration behind the project was undoubtedly Tommy Kelleher. 

Throughout his life Tommy has been striving to improve the standards of boxing at all times and in his mission at the Glen BC he has found a great and long-time friend in Connolly.

Both men working together are a force to be reckoned with. 

The motto is simple 'let no stone unturned and get the job done.' 

The work of these two men is equally complemented through the contributions of Carla, the secretary and Clodagh, the treasurer.

Proudly perched overlooking the Northside, the Glen Boxing Club from its lofty geographic location overlooks the bustling village and hinterland of Blackpool. 

These latest facilities are a credit to a very proactive sports club. 

When Anthony Connolly signs the visitors book during his visit to the Lord Mayor's office in the City Hall, he will be representing a club steeped in history and much of this history is on view in the iconic museum located in their club today.

The Glen BC also has the honour of having three members elected Lord Mayor of Cork. 

Tomàs MacCurtain, Sean French, and John Birmingham, who was also honoured with the freedom of the city. 

Anthony Connolly has given 50 years of service to boxing, Tommy Kelleher has given a lifetime, and Anthony said he is still only an apprentice next to Tommy.

On the day that another great boxing man officially visits the City Hall, perhaps the Glen boxing flag will proudly flutter in the breeze to acknowledge a special day in the long and illustrious history of the Glen Boxing Club.