CORK BOXING TO HONOUR GREATS

 

 

Cork's World Junior silver medallist Eamer Coughlan

Cork’s AIBA World Junior silver medallist Eamer Coughlan.

 

 

CORK boxing is gearing up to honour its champions past and present at a spectacular extravaganza in Bishop Lucey Park tomorrow, September 10th.

The ceremony begins at 12 noon.

Seventy years of Cork boxing will be celebrated with the unveiling of plaques on the Boxing Wall to Tommy Hyde, who won an Irish Senior title in 1946, and Paddy “The Champ” Martin, father of current Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin.

Pat Ryan and Stephen Connolly, President and National Registrar with the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), and former IABA President Breandán Ó Conaire will attend the unveiling.

This year Cork won an all-time record of 30 All-Ireland titles and these champions will receive their Jack McAuliffe gold medals at Bishop Lucey Park. The medals, an innovation of the Cork Ex Boxers Association, are exclusively awarded to Irish champions from Leeside.

Cork’s Olympians – Kieran Joyce, Paul Buttimer, Michael Roche and Youth Olympian Christina Desmond –  are guests of honour at Bishop Lucey Park.

Cork boxers who represented Ireland internationally this year will receive pennants.

“It’s always a special occasion when a young athlete represents their country for the first time. Cork boxing recognises this and will mark the occasion accordingly,” said Cork County Board President Michael O’Brien.

“We have an opportunity to reflect on the great men from the past and to acknowledge and congratulated our current champions.

“Cork boxing is enjoying a great renaissance. The success we have achieved so far this year we intend not only to build upon but to improve significantly. We go forward with great confidence in our ability to succeed.”

 

Founding members of Cork Ex Boxers Association in 1972

Founding members of Cork Ex Boxers Association in 1972