Six Cork boxers capture All-Ireland glory at the National Stadium

Six Cork boxers bask in All-Ireland glory following a triumphant weekend for Leeside athletes at the Juvenile Boxing Championships, which took place at the National Stadium.

Since 1939, the National Stadium has been the mecca for all boxers throughout the Island of Ireland. 

It has a rich illustrious sporting history, and for many Cork boxers over the last 85 years it holds many cherished memories.

The first Cork boxer to win at the National Stadium was in 1940, when 16-year-old Tony Murphy represented the Old Blarney Boxing Club, which is now defunct. 

In the intervening years the greats of Cork boxing have tread the boards at the ancestral home of Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport.

Last Saturday was a day of great celebration for six Cork clubs. 

Three from the city and three based in the county. 

Zack Kenny from the recently formed Elite Boxing Club won the boy 4, 42 kg title. 

Ellie May Lawlor, representing the Brian Dillon’s Boxing Club was the champion in the girl 4, 70 kg class. 

Abby Murray from the Muskerry Boxing Club had her hand raised in national glory following her triumph in the girl 5, 48 kg division. 

Claire Crowley from the St Martha’s Boxing Club took the girl 5, 60 kg title. 

William Heaphy from Golden Gloves BC was champion in the junior 1. 85 kg grade, and Saoirse O’Riordan was the trailblazer from the Cove Boxing Club following her magnificent success in the girl 6, 66 kg category.

On Sunday afternoon, a senior boxing tournament took place at the Northside Boxing Club in Blackpool. 

This was the third in a series of senior tournaments to further enhance this grade. 

This tournament took place as part of a Golden Gloves BC promotion. 

Director of senior boxing in Cork, John Morrissey said this.

“This was a further opportunity for senior boxers to compete. We are slowly but surely building up this grade and I am confident senior boxing in Cork will fully blossom once again."

A report on this tournament will follow in a subsequent edition of the Thursday boxing page.

Meanwhile, on RTE 1 tonight, Cork’s most successful lady boxer, Christina Desmond was featured on a documentary titled ‘Cailina Comhrail’. 

This is a new series showcasing women in combat sports. 

It traces the long journey to qualify for the Olympic Games. 

It give an inside view of the sacrifices made by the athletes in their quest to reach the summit of international success.

For many years Christina has been an outstanding representative for Cork boxing. 

She was a Junior Olympian in Nanjing, China in 2013; she has a grand total of 19 All-Ireland triumphs including six national elite titles and a European Championship elite silver medal. 

The Macroom and Garda BC boxer has and continues to give great commitment to amateur boxing. 

She is a magnificent role model to all Cork female boxers.

Elsewhere, next weekend, will see the opening rounds of the boy and girl, 1, 2, and 3 Munster championships. 

This is the first weekend in the series. 

On Saturday, the championships will take place in Limerick at the St Francis Boxing Club, while on Sunday, the venue will be the Community Hall in Dungarvan.

The standard of boxing in these grades has been very high at the recent Cork County Championships. 

It is hoped that Cork boxers will continue to perform well at the provincial championships. 

All clubs have their young boxers well honed, and their coaches have put a lot time and effort into preparing their young changes, and hopefully all athletes will perform to the best of their sporting abilities.

The Cork County Boxing Board has extended best wishes to all boxers who are not only representing their clubs, but Cork boxing also.

On the world stage it appears that boxing will now continue to be part of the Olympic Games. 

However, to facilitate Irish boxers, the IABA will have to to the right World Boxing Association. 

An EGM will take place next month for all clubs to vote on this very important issue. 

In the meantime, Cork has received an invitation to take part in an international tournament at the Olympic Club in San Francisco next September.

In recent years, Cork has been well represented at this mega event. 

The President of the Board Michael O’Brien has maintained links with organizers in the United States. 

Cork boxing has participated on two occasions and it proved to be a fantastic trip for both boxers and coaches. 

The Cork officials who travelled to San Francisco with the Rebel boxers were, Seanie Barrett, Aine McLoughlin, Tom Murray and Tommy Kelleher. 

It is now hoped that once again Leeside boxing will fly the Cork flag at the famed Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Back on Leesdide, the Rylane Boxing Club will host a boxing tournament on next Saturday night, 29th March. 

The venue will be the Community Hall in Aghabullogue and will commence at 7.30 pm. 

This club has always promoted excellent tournaments. 

This club is also home to Cork’s elite boxing champion Linda Desmond, and Saturday night next will provide a great opportunity for boxing followers to enjoy a great evening of competitive sport.