Olympian Kieran Joyce and famed Sunnyside BC coach Albie Murphy
There’s no future in nostalgia they say, but the Rebel County might disagree with you.
The Cork Boxing Exhibition has been extended to early September due to popular demand, according to Cork County Boxing Board President Michael O’Brien.
The exhibition opens at 2 pm today, August 16, at Cork City Library and runs until September 6.
Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin, whose dad Paddy “The Champ” Martin is a legend of the sport on Leeside, will officially inaugurate the exhibition featuring numerous artefacts, memorabilia, pictures, medals and trophies spanning three centuries of boxing in both codes.
The presentation stretches back to 1886 and the era of fabled Rebel lightweight Jack McAuliffe in the USA and incorporates Cork’s boxing Olympians, including James Murphy who reached an Olympic semi-final in Los Angeles in 1932 which would be sufficient to guarantee at least bronze under today’s rules governing the awarding of silverware.
However, athletes had to box-off for bronze before the 1952 Games – Murphy had to withdraw from the LA box-off with an injury – which marked the first time that both losing semi-finalists were awarded bronze and box-offs were abolished.
“Many beautiful items will be on display at the exhibition and many of these gems have never been seen by Cork boxing followers in public before. As President over the last four years, I have been privileged to see great occasions in the world of Cork boxing, said Michael O’Brien.
“I wish to thank all who have contributed to help Cork boxing flourish and hope you all enjoy the exhibition at the City Library. All are welcome.”
(See today’s Echo newpaper for a 16-page supplement on the exhibition)