8 November 2023
Introduction
I propose that Dungarvan Boxing Club is afforded a Cathaoirleach Reception in recognition of recent achievements at local, national and international level. I believe this would be an appropriate way to recognise these achievements. There has been much to celebrate over the last year including:
- Club member Ava Lannon – Irish Champion, Bronze medal at World Championships.
- Club member Jake Fitzgerald – Irish Champion, Bronze medal at World Championships
- Club member Christina Desmond – Six times Irish Champion, Gold medal at European Championships, part of Ireland’s elite set-up in preparation for World Championships
- Celtic Box Cup – 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of this hugely successful and well regarded international tournament. The Celtic Box Cup takes place in Dungarvan and attracts boxers from around the world. It receives significant support from Waterford City and County Council.
- International Tournament – Dungarvan Boxing Club hosted a full international tournament between Ireland and England on 4th November 2023.
- The Club marks its 35th anniversary this year.
Background
Dungarvan Boxing Club was formed in 1988 and has been growing in membership and success in the 35 years since then. The club operates from a gym located adjacent to the Sports Centre in Dungarvan. The gym is named after Peter Crotty, the Dungarvan man who boxed for Ireland in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Success
In that time the club has produced 30 Irish champions across all grades. Club members Christina Desmond and James Keohan have achieved six and four Irish titles respectively. Club member Killian Walsh was the first Defence Forces champion. Many members of the club have boxed for Ireland in European and World competitions including Steve Reddy, Jeremy O’Mahoney, Calvin Hayes, Christina Desmond, Jake Fitzgerald, Ava Lennon and Darragh Power, who won a Silver medal in the European Championships.
Social and Community impact
The club has a large and active membership across all age ranges. Its ethos is based on respect, discipline and empowerment. The social impact of the club on the town of Dungarvan cannot be measured but has been very significant over the years. The club is inclusive and community based. All are welcome to join and train, irrespective of background or ability. The club pioneered women’s boxing, and made history by hosting the world’s first women’s international boxing event tournament.
International Tournaments
Dungarvan Boxing Club has built and maintained an excellent reputation in Ireland and abroad. The club has hosted several international tournaments including Ireland vs. China, Ireland vs England (the first international women’s boxing tournament), Ireland vs. France and Ireland vs. Australia. The club recently hosted an Ireland vs. England at the request of the two national governing bodies.
Celtic Box Cup
This is the premier open amateur boxing competition in Ireland and is one of Europe’s set piece boxing events. The competition has increasingly also attracted boxers from North America, North Africa, Australia and Asia. It is fully accredited by the European and World amateur boxing governing bodies, EUBC and AIBA.
The Cup is in its tenth year and is held annually in Dungarvan Sports Centre. Waterford City and County Council provide significant support for the event. The Cup brings several thousand visitors to Dungarvan each year, including boxers, officials and supporters from all across Ireland and Britain, and smaller delegations from other countries.
Achieving excellence
Dungarvan boxing club manages to maintain its welcoming, family atmosphere while at the time achieving excellence both in the ring and outside it. At any given time the club has a compliment of ten accredited coaching staff, from beginners to elite levels. The Club has hosted international training events for both boxers and coaches, including dedicated training camps for elite coaches. The Club also recognises the huge value that officials and organisers bring to the sport in terms of managers, referees, judges and officials. The Club has produced many of these at all levels over the years, and facilitates ongoing training and development for members wishing to take up these positions.
Conclusion
Dungarvan Boxing Club has achieved remarkable success this year. Its boxers have won medals at regional, national and international level. The club has marked its 35th anniversary and has celebrated ten-years of the Celtic Box Cup, which is Ireland’s premier international boxing event. The social and community benefit of the club cannot be measured and is widely acknowledged well beyond the realm of sport. The Club has contributed to Dungarvan and to amateur boxing in Ireland by hosting several international boxing tournaments, and has facilitated members to become officials, judges and referees.
I believe the achievements of the club, this year in particular, should be recognised and celebrated, and that a Mayor’s Reception would be the most appropriate way to achieve this.
I am grateful for your consideration of this matter.
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness
Conor D. McGuinness TD 