Midleton Boxing club's annual boxing tournament was a huge success

LAST Saturday afternoon, Midleton Boxing Club amidst a packed hall and an electric atmosphere held their Annual Boxing Tournament.

The venue was the local GAA Pavilion in the town, and the location and facilities available here contributed to the outstanding success of the show.

Prior to the event in their promo the Club promised a great afternoon of competitive boxing and the Club fully delivered. 

On the bill were 22 bouts and each one of them was superbly matched by Club Coach Billy O’Sullivan.

Both the efficiency and organisation of the occasion was a credit to the Club. 

This was also fully appreciated by the full house who flocked to the east Cork town.

The Chief official was John Wiseman the County Board Secretary. 

Wiseman was loud in his praise of the Midleton Club and said, “I must congratulate Midleton Boxing Club for putting on a fantastic day’s boxing, each of the twenty two contests were all points decisions and this speaks volumes for the Club’s matchmaker Billy O’Sullivan."

“This was one of the best tournaments I have ever seen, and over the years I have been to many shows, this was a great day for Midleton BC and a good day for Cork Boxing," concluded the Cork Secretary who recently completed twenty years of service in that capacity.

This event was a credit to the Club and well done to Justin Donnelly, Colm O’Riordan, Stephen O’Mahony and Billy O’Sullivan.

Following this Tournament, Golden Glove BC put on their Annual show at the Northside Boxing Club in Blackpool on Sunday afternoon; this was the day of the high winds and the big storm. 

The weather people were advising the public to travel only if necessary. Despite such handicaps, the Golden Glove policy of ‘The show must go on’ prevailed. 

This provided an evening of good boxing. Fifteen bouts took place, and the attendance fully enjoyed an afternoon of very competitive sport.

These two events over the weekend illustrates how strong Boxing has become in Cork. 

The County Board are now confident that this strong position will be further enhanced by the schools programme which is being initiated next month, and this will provide an opportunity to many boys and girls to get to know more about a sport which has enjoyed a long and proud tradition on Leeside.

Meanwhile, following the great success of the Olympic Festival of Cork Boxing which was a two day event held recently, the Board were inundated with requests to organise it again next year. 

“The event was phenomenal and has received a number of phone calls from other Counties regarding its organisation," Board President Michael O’Brien said.
“Yes, this event will take place again next year, on Saturday 11TH and Sunday 12TH January.

“The Olympic Title will be replaced, as it will not be an Olympic year and this Tournament next will be referred to as, The Leeside Festival of Cork Boxing."

Elsewhere, Cork’s Senior and Elite Boxing Champions have become roving ambassadors for the sport. 

They are attending many boxing events and presenting medals, and standing in for photos.

Next month they will be welcomed to the Cork County Hall where they will be congratulated by the Mayor of Cork County Cllr. Frank O’Flynn.

Later in the month, this victorious group will be presented with a special edition of the “Jack McAuliffe Medal”. 

These medals will be personally inscribed with the boxer’s Name, Club and Title.

When Bishop Lucey Park reopens next year, it will boast a magnificent new Boxing Wall. 

The first plaque on the new wall will be the names and clubs of these boxers who created Cork Boxing history by winning six Adult National Boxing Titles in the same year. 

This plaque will immortalise their success and equally create a challenge for every young Cork boy and girl boxer to emulate their success. In the meantime, a Silver Tray with a recorded success of their achievements will be on permanent display at the Glen Boxing Museum, which will be officially opened around Easter.

The Cork County Boxing Championships will take place at the Northside Boxing Club in Blackpool on Saturday 3RD and Sunday 4TH February. 

The boxing mood in Cork Clubs is currently very upbeat and a big entry is expected. 

This is the Flagship of the County Board year, and as in keeping with traditions, this event will chart the boxing career for many young athletes. 

The Board Secretary will advise clubs on all final arrangements.

Finally this week, it is worth acknowledging the response and reaction of readers to the many boxing topics covered in this column. 

It is designed to comment and inform on current Amateur Boxing activities and to reflect on many of the great pugilistic moments from the past.

The huge interest in Cork Boxing, which is now growing, has thrown up in many great debates amongst Echo readers.