Lord Mayor Cllr Damian Boylan recognises the 50 years of service to the Glen BC by Anthony Connolly

On Thursday last, Anthony Connolly, the chairman of the Glen Boxing Club was received at City Hall by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan to mark his 50 years of service to Ireland's oldest boxing club.

This was a splendid occasion for Cork boxing and the world of sport on Leeside. 

Connolly was honoured for his golden jubilee service to boxing which has had a long tradition in the southern capital and has always been part of the tapestry and folklore in a sports mad city. 

Anthony was accompanied by his wife, family members and friends. 

In acknowledging Anthony's distinguished service the Lord Mayor described him as a loyal servant to sport on the northside of the city, and a man who truly epitomised the word volunteerism. 

Connolly thanked the Lord Mayor for his remarks and hospitality and told him that boxing had a long association with the City Hall. 

Anthony then spoke about the many great boxing nights that took place in the City Hall down through the years and about how the Glen Boxing Club had produced three Lord Mayors themselves. 

Anthony then told the Lord Mayor that Blackpool was a great sporting hub, and he took the opportunity to wish Glen Rovers well in the forthcoming Cork senior hurling championship.

The attendance was also addressed by Dan O'Connell, the president of the Cork Ex-Boxers Association. 

Dan congratulated Anthony on his outstanding contribution to the sport.

"Anthony's devotion to boxing and the Glen BC is legendary, and he added many clubs and boxing people in Cork have always admired Anthony's work rate and the Glen BC today, is admired throughout the Irish boxing landscape."

Others present were long-serving Cork County Board Secretary John Wiseman, Michael Kelleher, five-time All-Ireland boxing champion, elite coach and boxing champion, Seanie Barrett and Gordon Joyce, the youngest man ever to win an Irish national elite title. 

Gordon was representing the Sunnyside Boxing Club, who will from January 1st next, commence their centenary celebrations having been established in 1927. 

A big name in that club in the 1940`s and 1950`s was the great Tommy Hyde.

Tommy Hyde was born and reared on Fair Hill. 

In 1938, he won his first Munster Juvenile Championship. 

This was the year he joined Sunnyside BC. 

He was rapidly recognised as a major talent and quickly moved from juvenile to senior grade. 

After a number of senior titles won in Cork he targeted the national championships. 

1945-46 was a brilliant year for Tommy, as he won the Irish senior welterweight crown at the National Stadium and this was the first purpose built boxing stadium in the world and opened in 1939.

Following his victory in Dublin, to win that title a huge homecoming was organised for Tommy. 

He was introduced to a packed City Hall where he received a prolonged standing ovation. 

His international career continued in 1946 winning bouts all over the world. 

He had over 200 contests in his career and was never floored. 

Hyde also had the distinction of having fought in three different weights for Ireland. 

He boxed in Italy, Belgium, France, Austria, England, Scotland and Wales. 

The Irish champion also defeated the great Rosco Hinston of America. 

This victory was achieved in June of that year.

In 1949, Tommy toured Finland and won five of his seven bouts over nine days. 

He often trained in the Glen BC in Spring Lane and crowds would flock from far and wide to watch him go through his paces. 

Hyde retired in 1953 after representing his country against Austria. 

Tommy 'The prince' Hyde passed away in May 2012.

Next week in this column there will be a focus on a great boxing tournament which takes place at the Na Piarsiagh GAA complex on Fair Hill. 

This is a bumper charity event with the proceeds going to two great charities. 

All details pertaining to the charities will be published in next week’s column. 

This event is promoted by the Cork County Boxing Board.

Finally, this week, the president of the Cork County Boxing Board Michael O'Brien retired after over 10 years service in that capacity. 

O'Brien said it was the right time to take a step back.

"With the impending AGM approaching, this was an ideal time to elect a new president with a fresh outlook and bring new ideas to the sport."

O'Brien enjoyed his work and all the people who worked with him over the last ten years and with the outstanding clubs and coaches Cork has now been elevated to its proper status in boxing. 

He thanked all the clubs and coaches for their great commitment to the sport and said the standard continues to rise amongst the boxers who are bringing huge national glory to Cork. 

He concluded that it is a great opportunity to retire at this point for health and family reasons and paid tribute to his fellow officers John Wiseman, Nicola Kelly, Louise Forde and John Casey.