BOXING had two winners at Belfast City Council’s 2020 sports awards last week, reports today’s Irish News.
Michael Hawkins jr picked up the senior coach of the year gong, while Martin Brady-McCullough was joint winner in the junior male sports personality of the year category.
Brady-McCullough shot to international attention last year when he landed a bronze medal at the European junior championships in Romania, and teenage Gleann stylist carried that form into 2020.
At the start of the year the west Belfast 56kg fighter swept aside all before him at the Irish U18s, comprehensively defeating Jack Connors in the final to book his place on the Irish team bound for the European youths.
That competition had been due to take place in April but, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, is now scheduled for November 11-23 in Montenegro.
Brady-McCullough shared the award with badminton’s Matthew Cheung.
It was a nice accolade for Hawkins jr too, who has become a stalwart of the Holy Trinity club through the years – following in the footsteps of his father, Michael sr.
“Michael has been around boxing with me for a long time,” said Hawkins sr.
“He was at every one of Damaen Kelly’s fights, even his last one in Italy. He’s always been there, he was everywhere with me.
“He’s in the club every single night with the juveniles and, no matter what, boxing just comes first. He’s on the ball with the Facebook page, and he just goes about everything quietly – you wouldn’t hear a word from him.
“Michael’s very steady, has a great way with the kids, so I’m delighted for him.”