Cahir Gormley’s introduction to Scranton came in November 2024 when he traveled from Ireland to compete at promoter Doug Long’s third annual Club International Boxing show featuring fighters from Ireland.

That relationship has grown and Gormley spent three months in the summer living in Northeast Pennsylvania, training at Scranton’s Irish Boxing Club and competing on cards on the east coast, including his second local bout at the Gloves and Glory Flag Day Showdown in June.

The Maydown, Northern Ireland native is now set for his third local bout as the main event of Team Ireland Returns 4, which is set for Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Holiday Inn Scranton East.

“It’s crazy how it took off so fast,” Gormley said. “Last year, I came over to fight in the co-main event and now I’m in the main event a year later. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to showcase my skills once again. I feel like I’m a home fighter in Scranton. I get so much recognition in the area. I feel like I’ve got a lot of people supporting me and a lot of people behind me. I’m grateful for everyone coming out. It’s going to be a great show.”

Gormley is a two-time national champion and has more than 100 amateur bouts. After his first Scranton area victory, he became a candidate for a program Long wanted to start that would allow a boxer from Ireland the opportunity to spend six weeks training and fighting in the United States. After a recent trip to Ireland, Long believes he has found his next candidate in J.P. Hale, a 24-year-old amateur from Belfast, who will compete on the November card.

“Cahir has set a good road map for what is a future here and in Ireland,” Long said. “We’re going to keep that pattern and see if J.P. could do the same thing if it reaches that skill level and he likes it here. They see what Cahir is doing and they want to go on the same pathway.”

Hale is five-time Ulster Elite champion and competed in the Commonwealth Games.

“He is an outstanding fighter and he jumped at the opportunity,” Long said. “He’s fighting all over the world, but he really wanted to spend time in Scranton because they are getting the most recognized. For J.P., I was honored that he chose to accept the offer and come here.”

The Nov. 1 card is scheduled for 18 bouts, featuring 14 boxers from Ireland along with four match bouts also on the slate. Boxers from Scranton’s Irish Boxing Club scheduled to compete are Jesse Burke, Abass Rabo, Jimmy Le Grand, Martin Guzman, Jarrod Thomas, Stefhan Caple and Jonathan Levine.

“The local boxers won’t see the experience that they are getting against the boxers from Ireland anywhere else,” Long said. “Those boxers have been fighting since they were 7 years old. Our guys learn from that and they get better.”

If you go…

When: Saturday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn Scranton East, 200 Tigue St., Dunmore

Tickets: Cost $30-$45 and are available at the Holiday Inn