On Saturday night last, at a very pleasant function Cork’s 2024 All-Ireland adult boxing champions, were honoured by the Cork County Boxing Board.
This was also an evening of music and song and this event took place at Hickey’s Sporting Lounge in Dromahane.
This is the second year in succession that the board has chosen this venue.
The proprietor, Sean Hickey, a great boxing supporter welcomed all to a remarkably enjoyable occasion, which was sponsored by the Cork Boxing Fraternity Association.
In his address, the County Board President Michael O’Brien said this.
“For years Cork County Board social functions always took place in the city, however, going forward the board intends to rotate the venues between both city and county,” O’Brien said.
“Tonight we honour our national senior and elite champions.
“The past year has been another outstanding year for Cork boxing at all levels of the sport.
Conal Thomas makes a presentation to Dan Lane, Rylane BC at Hickeys Bar, Dromahane JW
“The sport is thriving on Leeside and in addition to acknowledging our boxers, coaches and clubs I wish to pay tribute to my fellow officers on the Cork County Board, who have always been on top of their game in their very efficient endeavours to promote and develop boxing on Leeside.
“I am delighted to see the venue packed here tonight and I wish to thank our host Sean Hickey and our sponsor Conal Thomas, president of the Cork Boxing Fraternity, who tonight are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their association.”
The trio of All-Ireland champions honoured, included Linda Desmond, Rylane BC, who was celebrating her second elite title in two years.
Katie O’Keeffe, Kanturk BC, who won her first senior national title following a career to date which has seen her win multiple All-Ireland titles, in addition to a record tally of European Junior Championship medals.
Lastly, one of the great prospects emanating from the deep south, and proudly representing the Golden Gloves Boxing Club, Kuba Pielesz, who won his first senior national title and was accompanied by his mum at the function.
All three boxers had a huge volume of support present and this included family members, club colleagues, and friends.
The citation for each boxer was warmly and enthusiastically received by the guests and this was fully appreciated by the boxers.
Amongst the attendance on the night of celebration was 90 years-old Jack O’Keeffe, a proud Kanturk man, who is the grandfather of Katie O’Keeffe.
He said he was delighted to be there and added the following words.
“I follow all sports but my highlight of the week is to get The Echo on Thursday, and read the Cork boxing page.”
Amongst Linda Desmond’s league of supporters present was John Barrett, the 84 year-old Millstreet man, who introduced Linda to the Rylane Boxing Club.
As her first boxing mentor John encouraged the young Linda, and on Saturday last the Millstreet maestro sang late into the night of Cork boxing festivities.
Each of the boxers were presented with a gold medal.
CCBB Treasurer Nicola Kelly makes a presentation to Kuba Pielesz, Golden Gloves BC at Hickeys Bar, Dromahane JW
The medals are specially designed to acknowledge their national status as IABA champions, also for the first time, included their own individual names inscribed on their respective medals.
The medals were presented by the county board treasurer Nicola Murphy.
The Cork County Board also wished to acknowledge the role of the coaches in the success of their boxers.
In amateur boxing to the victor belong the spoils, and the athlete receives the due recognition for their success, however, behind the scenes many years of dedication may have been invested in the boxer by the coach.
This is the essence of volunteerism based on a labour of love, long hours in the club or gym has seen boxers elevated to their top tier of national adult success, and the motivation formula of success has been planned by the coach, and executed by the boxer.
The role of the club coaches is often overlooked and maybe taken for granted in some cases.
Now the Cork County Board has introduced a policy where coaches to all adult boxers who win national titles will receive official recognition from the board.
This commenced on Saturday night last and four club coaches were honoured accordingly, these included Dan Lane and Seanie Barrett joint coaches to Linda Desmond, and both men are pillars of the Rylane boxing story over many years.
Cork coach of the year, John Morrissey, Golden Gloves BC guided Kuba Pielesz to national success.
This is a remarkable achievement by Morrisssey, who over the last three years has produced many champions in both the elite and senior national ranks.
The third club coach honoured was Jim McConville of Kanturk BC.
The bunny Scotsman has enjoyed volumes of success with his boxers and is a worthy recipient this long overdue recognition.
The Kanturk club also had another coach present; this was Vancs O’Connell, who recently underwent surgery.
She received a great acclamation when introduced to the attendance.
The coaches awards were presented by the sponsor Conal Thomas, who in his speech said, he was delighted to be associated with the remarkable success of Cork boxing, and paid tribute to all involved.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Cork Boxing Fraternity Association, the county board secretary John Wiseman made a presentation to its president Conal Thomas.
Prior to the presentation the following citation was read.
“Conal Thomas has made a phenomenal contribution to all strands of Cork boxing.
“He has been a benefactor to many and a friend to all.
“He has truly invoked the spirit of the sport, and has devoted himself to be an outstanding ambassador for boxing.”
Finally, this week the son of a Glen BC boxer Micheál Martin has once again been elected Taoiseach.
Congratulations and best wishes have been extended on behalf of the Cork boxing family.