THERE was, as the man himself would have put it, standing room only at the Clonmany Community Centre at the weekend for the first Peter O’Donnell Box Cup.
Around 400 young boxers from Ireland and England – at schoolboy, schoolgirl, youth, junior and under-19 grades – weighed in for the inaugural tournament, on the weekend of the first anniversary of the passing of Donegal’s ‘Mr Boxing’.
A total of 78 finals and another 14 skills bouts, for the budding young pugilists of the future, played out before a capacity crowd that included former world middleweight title challenger Jason Quigley, ex-pro Paddy Doherty – who fought on Muhammad Ali’s 1972 Croke Park undercard – and former Irish super-heavyweight kingpin Eamon Coyle.
Former IABA president Dominic O’Rourke had three trophies made for the occasion to honour his old boxing comrade, and they were presented by members of the O’Donnell family.
Charlie Murray from St John’s BC in Derry was named best male boxer. In a Boy 3 52kgs bout, Murray overcame Rogan Caldwell from Glengormley on a 2-1 split decision.
Banbridge BC’s Phoebe Clarke, who earned a unanimous decision win over Cassie Lynch from Illies Golden Gloves, was named best female boxer.
Banbridge BC took home the team of the tournament trophy, having had 11 finalists. They had wins for Clarke, Frankie Mooney, Paige Nickels, Masie Traynor, Harrison Orr, Alex Prentice and Isaac Ireland while Caoimhe Smyth, Scott Watson, Decosta Gillen and Michael Ward all competed in finals.
Fittingly, the Raphoe Boxing Club – the club O’Donnell helped build, shape and develop – also had a winner, and Tyler Keaveney’s win over Cormac Callaghan was one of the fights of the day.
Martin Ward, a new recruit to Raphoe Boxing Club, took an excellent win over Ben McKeown of All Saints, the all-action Ward deservedly given a unanimous verdict, but there was a narrow split decision defeat for Oriana Pojawa against Katie McDonagh (Oakleaf).
Before the first bell rang, acclaimed Tyrone singer and boxing official Cara McGillion sang Amhrán na bhFiann, while the Irish and Donegal flags were carried by Peter O’Donnell’s grandchildren Amber and Zoe.
There was a big crowd at the Clonmany Community Centre at the weekend for the first Peter O’Donnell Box Cup. PICTURE: CHRIS MCNULTY
“Today is about more than boxing,” said County Donegal boxing board president, James McCarron said.
“It is about remembering a man who meant so much to our sport and to the people involved in it. Peter was a man whose contribution to boxing in Donegal will never be forgotten.
“He gave his time, his energy and his passion to the sport, and he helped build something that was much bigger than what happened inside the ring.
“He understood that boxing was about developing young people, teaching discipline, building confidence, showing respect and giving people a sense of belonging.
“That is the real legacy Peter leaves behind. One of the special things about Peter was the respect he earned throughout the boxing community. His name continues to mean something to the people who knew him.
“We remember not only what he did for boxing, but also the commitment and character that made him such an important part of our community.”
“Congratulations to all,” added Eugene Duffy, long-time friend of Peter O’Donnell and the current Irish Boxing vice-president.
“This was a brilliantly run competition that looks sure to go from strength to strength in the years ahead. A terrific tribute to a great man.”
On behalf of the O’Donnell family, Rory O’Donnell said “if there was a heaven on earth, this would be it for my father”.
“Look at this,” he said, “three rings and boys and girls just boxing and just getting on with it and coming out with a smile on their face.
“Win or lose, that was what he wanted to have and he just loved boxing.”
Meanwhile, this weekend sees the return of one of the most established box cups in Ireland.
The Halloween Box Cup – run by the County Antrim Board, takes place at Belfast’s Girdwood Community Hub from October 24-26 – and features 430 participants from seven different countries.