Cork boxing on a huge high after another great year producing winning boxers, both male and female

On Friday, the Olympic Games will commence and Ireland will have 10 boxers in Paris search of the elusive Olympic medal.

Cork boxing has enjoyed a magnificent year. 

The county has achieved success at every level of competition. 

Leeside boxers have returned to the southern capital with three elite, three senior, and 30 more national titles from U22 down to underage.

This combination of success represents the great work of club coaches both in the city and in the county. 

This reflects the growth in the sport amongst young male and female athletes. 

This high tide raises all boats, and this week the good news of two new clubs being established was conveyed to board Secretary John Wiseman.

However, Cork boxing will not have a boxer representing Ireland at the forthcoming Olympics.

This matter has been addressed by the board in recent months.

A report to further improve the standard of Cork boxing will be presented to club delegates at the next full meeting of the county board. 

The study praises the clubs and coaches for what they have achieved over the last six years and acknowledges the work they have done. However, it also identifies serious anomalies that need to be addressed and suggests that a change of mind-set is required by all clubs in certain areas.

Today, all sports are being marketed at the highest level to attract young male and female athletes.

Therefore, now, more than ever, boxing officials at all levels must respond accordingly. 

The days of boxing clubs in Cork and elsewhere waiting to see who comes through the gym doors for training must be part of the past. 

The Cork board suggests that we must now attract athletes by going out into the community.

However, this will only be achieved if the clubs in each locality have properly structured committees. 

It is fundamental that club committees have a liaison officer and a PRO, who will liaise with schools, community associations, and youth clubs. This will provide an opportunity for youngsters to be invited to their local boxing clubs and introduced to the sport. 

This will create a greater opportunity for clubs. 

Regional development officials will be operating and appointed by the Cork board.

The plan suggests that clubs arrange information nights, where the running of the club will be explained to both athletes and parents.

With this hands-on approach, boxing numbers in all clubs should increase. 

From this increased pool of boxers, there will be an enhanced prospect in Cork of developing athletes to the highest standards.

Over the last five years, Cork boxing has enjoyed a magnificent harvest of All-Ireland success.

The board’s studies concentrate on development what it considers to be the true ethos of amateur boxing. 

This will consist of monitoring the boxer’s progress, taking their educational need into consideration, and providing opportunities to avail of sporting grants to third-level institutions.

Cork boxing, under the of this plan, expects to see numerous boxers challenge each year for elite titles. 

This is the foundation stone for the sport’s future on Leeside and will provide all clubs involved with a proper structure to advance their prospects in the sport. 

It will also enormously enhance the opportunities for Cork boxers to qualify for the Olympic Games.

It is now over 20 years since the last Cork boxer participated at an Olympiad, when Michael Roche (Sunnyside B.C.) represented his city and country in Sydney, 2000.

An Olympic gold medal is the greatest prize in world amateur sport. 

Ireland has produced three Olympic boxing champions: Michael Carruth, at Barcelona 1992, Katie Taylor, at London 2012, and Kellie Harrington in Tokyo 2020. 

Carruth’s gold medal has come to Cork on many occasions. 

Carruth has always been very generous with his time and very obliging when asked to travel to Cork for functions.

Carruth is always willing, when it is requested, to publicly display his Olympic medal and has no difficulties with standing in for pictures with young boxers and g autographs.

One sad side to his success has been highlighted on many occasions by Michael O’Brien, President of the Cork Board, who has constantly criticised the IABA for not properly celebrating the Olympic success of Carruth, Taylor and Harrington.

O’Brien believes that every young boxer, when they enter the National Stadium, should be star struck and inspired by three busts of our Olympic champions in the foyer.

Sadly, however, this is not the case. 

Regardless, O’Brien is confident that Cork boxing will continue to raise the bar and that this new plan for clubs, if executed properly, will help to provide many future Cork Olympic boxers.

If the goodwill amongst clubs continues and if the clubs co-operate with each other and acknowledge the contribution they can make to the future of Cork boxing, the sport will be solidly cemented to produce the highest standard of boxers and clubs, who will take their place proudly in their local communities.

This will also solidly enhance the prospects for Cork boxers to represent Ireland at future Olympics.