Rylane BC, Doug Minihane and Michael Kelleher have helped make Cork boxing the envy of all

As boxing continues to thrive on Leeside, the addition of a further two new clubs will richly enhance the phenomenal growth in the sport.

Plans are now well advanced to set up two new clubs in the Cork region, Mallow and Carrigaline, with a possibility of a third club being organised in Cork city.

The last ten years has witnessed a great urgency in the promotion of boxing. 

Numerous new clubs have been established while the older clubs have continued to flourish amidst the changing landscape.

For years Cork boxing was somewhat low key, however, the last decade has seen the emergence of a proper marketing strategy, and a great commitment from both clubs and coaches. 

The Cork Ex-Boxers Association, the Cork Fraternity Association and the Thursday Echo boxing page have all handsomely contributed to the magnificent surge in interest of amateur boxing in Cork.

Allied to this, one man has also devoted much of his time to promoting the sport and that is Doug Minihane. 

Doug first appeared on the Leeside boxing circuit when he worked on the 10th Anniversary Boxing Breakfast of the Loughmahon BC. 

Doug has provided the sport with a huge volume of pictures and this has helped enormously to give both young and old boxing followers a window of opportunity to fully appreciate what has been taking place in Cork boxing circles.

Another great worker for the sport is former multiple All-Ireland boxing champion Michael Kelleher. 

Mick has done outstanding work on ‘Memory Lane’ boxing events, and he enjoys a great following on line. 

This coupled with up to the minute action on current Cork boxing news has made his page a very popular platform appreciated by boxing followers throughout the entire country.

Last weekend, the Munster boys and girls 1, 2 and 3 championships took place. 

Cork clubs have expressed great satisfaction with their results and now many of these boxers move on to the national stage for the All-Ireland championships, which will once again take place at the National Stadium.

New weekend in Dungarvan, the Munster Championships will continue and boxing will take place on both Saturday and Sunday. 

It is hoped that Cork clubs will continue to produce further Munster champions.

Meanwhile, last Saturday night in the Aghabullogue Community Hall, the Rylane Boxing Club held a very competitive tournament. 

The programme featured a mixed bill with both underage and senior boxers participating. 

A fine crowd attended and all expressed delight at the standard of boxing on show. 

Rylane Boxing Club is currently the jewel in the Cork boxing crown, through the great success recorded by Linda Desmond a double Elite All-Ireland Champion and former winner of ‘The Echo Women in Sport’ Supreme Athlete of the Year Award accolade.

On show, last weekend many great future prospects displayed their skills and these included some great performances from Paul O’Halloran, Muskerry BC, Dan Pat Cronin, Rylane BC, Seanie Griffn, Elite BC and Adrian Urse from the host club.

Since 1979, Rylane Boxing Club have been flying the pugilistic flag in mid-Cork. 

It is a club who has enjoyed great respect throughout the country and have always promoted top class dinner shows and international tournaments. 

It is a club where many have contributed down through the years to its success, and the club has always been steadfast in their of Cork boxing.

Once again, after forty-six years on the road the club excelled last weekend. 

A great atmosphere prevailed in the hall. 

The elders in the boxing temple Dan Lane, Seanie Barrett, John Crowley and the magnificent ladies committee were all there to continue to their great club. 

Rylane BC has made a monumental contribution to the development of amateur boxing, both in their own region and throughout Cork and Ireland. 

The club is also well known on foreign shores, and in particular, it enjoys an affinity with New York. 

Rylane have had boxers compete in Madison Square Garden and that is the ultimate venue in the Big Apple. 

Now the club is focused once again on another major milestone.

In four-years time, Rylane BC will celebrate their Golden Jubilee. 

This will be a great occasion for the club, the community and Cork sport. 

Rylane to many has been always a quintessential club, noted for its reliability, commitment, and loyalty to its boxers and when they reflect on half a century of boxing it will be a proud day for many, in the very proactive Rylane Boxing Club.

Meanwhile, Cork’s only world boxing champion Jack McAuliffe was ed in a special tribute sport programme on Newstalk Radio last Thursday. 

McAuliffe, who retired undefeated, as lightweight champion of the world, will be further honoured at the new Boxing Wall in Bishop Lucey Park, which will be officially opened following renovations, later this year.