AFTER months of speculation, anticipation and excitement, the votes were finally totted up and the Magnificent 7 revealed at the Downhill House Hotel, Ballina, on Saturday night, before a bumper attendance in excess of 200.
Once again promoted by the Ardnaree Boxing Club, the 28th Annual Mayo Boxing Awards brought the great and good of Mayo boxing together to celebrate another wonderful season. Joining the officers of the Mayo County Board were Stephen Connolly, IABA Registrar, and Irish Amateur Boxing Association President Dominic O’Rourke. Mr O’Rourke congratulated all the award winners and the officers of the County Board and all the clubs for their dedication and commitment to the sport.
The Magnificent 7, inspired by the Mayo County Board President Joe Hennigan, set out to recognise and acknowledge the efforts of seven Mayo boxers, spanning the decades from 1950-2008, who never achieved the ultimate aim of capturing a national title.
A whopping 50 boxers were nominated for the accolades but when all were counted, there was no arguing with the seven winners. Between them they amassed 1, 148 contests, boxed in every corner of the land, represented their county, province and country along the way, and only for them many a local tournament would have struggled to succeed.
To huge applause and appreciation The Magnificent 7 were unveiled as: Pa Murray, Ardnaree BC, 210 contests; Richard Duffy, St Anne’s BC, 180 contests; Gerry Heneghan, Ballinrobe BC, 205 contests; Joe Charles, Claremorris BC, 200 contests; Liam Gallagher, Golden Gloves BC, 150 contests; Liam Keane, Castlebar BC, 150 contests; Michael Walsh, Ardnaree BC, 58 contests.
Ardnaree BC honoured
THERE was unanimous approval of Ardnaree BC’s selection as the Best Promoting Club 1950-2008.
Formed in the Sarsfields GAA field in 1949 when a group of around 40 local youngsters held a meeting with a view to founding a boxing club, Ardnaree BC, has gone from strength to strength over its 60-year existence.
While winning national titles may be a measure of success, Ardnaree Boxing Club has prided itself most on its promotion of every aspect of the sport over its near 60-year existence, with some 1, 600 youngsters passing through its doors. The club has promoted 20 inter-county and 22 inter-provincial tournaments and has promoted the annual Mayo Awards Dinner for 28 years.
It has also promoted several internationals. In 1993 Ireland versus Wales was televised by RTE from Ballina, and the Gaelic Youth Championships, incorporating Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Canada brought huge distinction as well as revenue to North Mayo. Ardnaree was also the first club outside of Dublin to host the IABA National Convention in 1990.
Ardnaree was the first club in the country to train females, and in 1996 had 40 girls training three evenings per week – a statistic that brought national attention to female boxing when RTE’s Nationwide team came down to film the club. Ardnaree also boosts the only world qualified female judge in Ireland, the first in Ireland or Britain, in secretary Fiona Hennigan.
Over the years, and particularly since Joe Hennigan took the helm as President in 1979, shows have taken place all over North Mayo and West Sligo – Killala, Ballycastle, Crossmolina, Knockmore, Attymass, Foxford, Bonniconlon, Dromore West, Easkey, Castleconnor and Enniscrone to name but a few.
Eight Ardnaree boxers have earned the privilege of representing Ireland, and club officials have been honoured at international level too – 29 times as judges, 24 times as team managers, and five times as coaches.
An array of national cups and trophies call Ardnaree their home, namely the Perry Cup, the Smithwicks Cup, the Beer Shield, the Owen Trophy, the Des Beatty Trophy and the Calleary Trophy, and the club has won numerous other accolades including Best Club at Mayo Championships, Best Promoting Club in the county, Best Judges and Referees, County Board Hall of Fame Awards and seven Mayo Sports Stars Awards.
Long service awards
OTHER awards for the period 1950-2008 included: Best Promoting Individual 1950-2008: Joe Hennigan (Ardnaree BC); Best Coach 1950-2008: Peter Mullen (St Anne’s BC); Most Active Judge 1950-2008: Fiona Hennigan (Ardnaree BC); Most Active Referee 1950-2008: Tommy Byrne (Swinford BC).
Hall of Fame Award
LARRY Colhoun of Ardagh BC was the deserving winner of the 2008 Hall of Fame Award. A renowned referee and judge, Larry has been instrumental in promoting the sport in Ardagh and Lahardane, where an annual Ardagh BC tournament is held.
In delivering the citation for Larry, Mayo County Board Secretary Fiona Hennigan applauded his dedication to his club and county, stating that he is always ready, willing and able to take part in tournaments, courses, meetings, etc.
Extremely well-liked on the boxing circuit, Larry’s selection was one of the most popular on the night.
Other awards
MAYO’S most active boxers 2007/08 season – Boy 1: Conor Kavanagh (Ardnaree BC) and Francis Hopkins (Ballina BC); Boy 2: Anthony Brereton (Annagh/Ballyhanuis BC) and Cillian O’Donnell (Midfield BC); Boy 3: Joseph Kinhart (Golden Gloves BC); Youth 1: Keith Gallagher (Ardagh BC); Youth 2: David Barrett (Geesala BC); Junior: Martin McDonagh (St Anne’s BC); U19: Raymond Moylette (St Anne’s); Inter/Snr: Michael Mullaney (Claremorris BC); Novice: Zdzislaw ‘Junior’ Popiel (Ardnaree BC); Best Newcomer: Robert O’Haire (Ballinrobe BC).
Most Active Judge 2007/08: Raymond Hughes (Ballycroy BC).
Most Active Referee 2007/08: Patrick McDonagh (Geesala BC).
Best Club at Mayo Championships 2007/08: St Anne’s BC.
Best Promoted Club 2007/08: St Anne’s BC.
Best Boxers at Mayo Championships 2007/08 – Boy 1: Pearse Rowley (Swinford BC); Boy 2: Stephen Burke (Ballinrobe BC); Boy 3: Ryan Peake (Annagh/Ballyhaunis BC); Boy 4: Tony Sadik (St Anne’s BC); Youth 2: Francis Conroy (Ardnaree BC); U19: Patrick Walsh (Ballina BC); Female: Rachel Calvey (Ballycroy BC).
Mayo’s national champions, 2007/08, were also lauded with particular attention for the counties history-making female boxers, Katie Rowland (Ballycroy BC), Shauna Lynch (Ballycroy BC) and Louise Donoghue (Geesala BC). Other champions honoured on the night were: Darren Cruise (Annagh/Ballyhaunis BC); Daniel Coughlan (St Anne’s BC); Patrick Timlin (Geesala BC); Anthony Coyle (Geesala BC); Bernard McDonagh (St.Anne’s BC); David Barrett (Geesala BC); Raymond Moylette (St Anne’s BC); David Timlin (Geesala BC).
Appreciation awards were also distributed with Jenny Murray of Westport Order of Malta, Denise McNulty (County Registrar) and members of the media, John Moylette, Majella Loftus and Liam Henry, thanked for their efforts in promoting the sport.
