Harry McGavock, the voice of Irish boxing for many decades, has passed away aged 78.
The Belfast man, known as the “Big Bopper”, was Master of Ceremonies at the home of Irish boxing for over 20 years.
Harry, himself a former champion, travelled the length and breadth of Ireland to announce bouts, and was well regarded throughout the Irish boxing family. He was known as much for his stylish attire as for his dulcet tones.
Tributes have been paid to Harry across social media, where he has been described as a true friend of Irish boxing.
A 12 strong team of boxers has departed for Birmingham today to contest the 2022 Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland.
Boxing is Northern Ireland’s most successful sport at the Commonwealths with 61 medals, including 13 golds, 19 silvers and 29 bronze medal bronze.
Ulster High Performance Director, John Conlan, says “Northern Ireland has a remarkable track record at the Commonwealth Games and we’re targeting building on that, and on the experience in the Cold Coast Games. Members of this team have contested strongly at European and World level already this year, and have taken part in training camps in England, Italy and our own highly successful 10-nation CWG camp in Jordanstown, in addition to their on-going High-Performance training. I’d like to recognise, too, the contribution of clubs and club coaches to boxers’ training in advance of these games. Our boxers are ready to make their mark in Birmingham”.
The team includes 2022 World Champion, Amy Broadhurst and 2022 European silver medallist, Dylan Eagleson, along with three 2018 Gold Coast Games silver medallists, in Carly McNaul and Aidan and Michaela Walsh, now Olympic bronze medallist and Olympian, respectively. Carly and Michaela are now both ranked 5th in the world in their respective weights, following their contesting of the Women’s World Championships
Northern Ireland Head Coach, Damian Kennedy, says “We always perform well at the Commonwealth Games. This is a team, a mixture of youth and experience – we’d be confident of coming home with a few medals…They’re all capable of performing on an international stage. I’m confident in each and every one of their abilities. Morale is good, they’re looking forward to getting in there and doing the job”.
John Conlan says “The quality of preparation we’ve provided for our boxers wouldn’t have been possible without the skill and knowledge of our High Performance Administrator, Aimee Shiels, who manages all training, all camps and all international competition from a logistics perspective. Her contribution to this team is invaluable.”
Boxing begins on Thursday, and High Performance Head Coach, Zauri Antia, says “This is a very strong team, and their preparations for the Commonwealth Games have been excellent. I wish them every success in what will be an excellent Commonwealth Games for Team N.I”.
The Board of Directors of the IABA has consented to serve notice of an EGM; the Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting is attached.
Time: 5:30pm, or shortly thereafter
Date: Saturday, August 13th
Location: The National Stadium, 145 South Circular Road, Dublin 8.
Motion:
“That Articles 5 and 73(e) of the Articles of Association of the Company Constitution be amended to replace the word “State” with “Island of Ireland.”
Motion Explained:
“Article 5 of the Articles of Association of the Company Constitution places a geographical limitation on where General Meetings of the Company can take place. Article 5 states that “All General meetings of the Company shall be held in the State.” The use of the word “State” places a geographical limitation on where General meetings can currently be held, namely the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. The proposed motion will seek to amend this wording to include the 6 counties in the North of Ireland. This reflects the main objects of the Company which are to foster and develop the sport of boxing in Ireland as a whole. The proposed amendment to Article 73(e) is a corollary to the amendment to Article 5 and will permit notice of General meetings to be published in newspapers both in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland should there be any suspension or curtailment of postal services within the country. “
Please note: “The above motion entails an amendment to the Rules of the Association and, accordingly, in accordance with Article 17 of the Company Constitution requires a quorum of 60 affiliated Member Clubs present represented in person by their delegates.”
A 29 strong team of Junior Cadets has been named to contest the 2022 European Schools Championships.
The tournament is being hosted by the Turkish Boxing Federation in Erzurum, from August 10th to 21st.
The team is comprised of 13 female boxers, and 16 male boxers, all aged 13 and 14.
This is the first time these boxers will represent their country in international competition, although some Junior Cadets will have experienced international competition or training camps through their club, county board or provincial unit.
Team Ireland Squad:
34-36kg Ellen Winnie Joyce, Olympic L, Co. Westmeath
60kg Cassie May Henderson, Gilford ABC, Co. Armagh
64kg Alannah Kenny, Clonmel BC, Co. Tipperary
70kg Chloe Louise Poleon, Dunboyne BC, Co. Meath
37-40kg Kalib Walshe, Wexford CBS, Co. Wexford
42kg Lochlainn Michael Beagan , Sean Doran’s BC, Co.
44kg Danial Joyce, Elite Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
46kg James Michael Casey, Sliabh Luchra BC, Co. Kerry
48kg Christian Doyle, Olympic L, Co. Westmeath
50kg Brandon Geoghegan, Sacred Heart, Dublin
52kg Cian Michael Stapleton, Marble City BC, Co. Kilkenny
54kg Danny John Mahon, Fr. Flanagan’s BC, Co, Kildare
57kg John Daniel Maher, Olympic L, Co. Westmeath
60kg Edward Harty, Portloaise BC, Co. Laois
63kg Broderick Adbuire, Jobstown BC, Dublin
66kg Rocco Dempsey, Avona BC, Dublin
70kg John Paul Mongans, Rathkeale BC, Co. Limerick
75kg Callum Francis Barrett, Olympic C, Co. Galway
80kg Richard Daniel Kiely, Midleton BC, Co. Cork
90kg Jordie Cooke, Gleann BC, Co. Antrim
The draw takes place on Thursday, August 11th. Preliminaries begin on August 12th, and semi finals from August 18th. All finals are scheduled to be boxed on Saturday, August 20th.
Team Manager: Philip Rooney
Coaches
Amanda Spencer
Lynn McEnery
Brian Barry
Stephen Molloy
R&J: Dermot McDermott
The EUBC is expected to live-stream the tournament on its YouTube channel, but confirmation is expected closer to the competition
