ATHY, 26 June 2001: by Trish Whelan. With 50 national titles to their credit, including Best Club in Kildare for the last four years, St Michael’s Boxing Club in Athy was yesterday honoured with a civic reception at County Hall (some of the members are pictured above).
The young boxers together with their mentors and parents were welcomed to Kildare County Council headquarters in St Mary’s, Naas, by Council chairman Rainsford Hendy (pictured right making a presentation to club coach Dominic O’Rourke). Congratulating the club on its outstanding achievements he said all involved have brought distinction to their town, county and country.
Athy UDC chairman, Cllr Michael Foley, said he was ‘in awe’ of their success. “You are an inspiration to everyone,” he told them. He also congratulated club coach Dominic O’Rourke on being elected President of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.
Cllr Hendy presented a magnificent crystal bowl to Dominic on behalf of Kildare County Council. In turn, Dominic paid tribute to the hard work of the young boxers, club coaches and the Ladies Committee who all work behind the scenes to help ensure the club’s success.
This year St Michael’s Boxing Club has won 15 Kildare titles, the Best Club in Kildare, 10 Leinster titles, the Best Club in Leinster (for the last three years) and nine national titles - a feat unsurpassed by any other boxing club in Ireland. Their 2001 achievements also include 13 Wexford Open League Championships and nine Kilkenny Open League Championships.
Two of the club’s senior boxers, members of the Defence Forces, have each won a Bronze Medal in the World Military Championships in Croatia. They are Tommy Sheahan and James Philips.
Two of Tommy Sheahan’s brothers, Gary and Roy, are also members of the club. Gary has won five national titles and represented Ireland in the European Cadet championships, winning a Bronze Medal. Roy has won seven national titles to date and has represented Ireland on many occasions, taking a Gold Medal at the Multi-Nation Championships in Sweden when he also won Best Boxer of the Championship. He has represented Ireland at the European Cadet Championship. Roy won his first Junior National title and went on to win a Silver Medal at the Multi-Nation Championship in Italy.
Another boxer, Eric Donovan, has won five National titles and has also represented Ireland at International level. He holds the record for being the youngest boxer to ever represent Ireland, at the age of 14. Eric and Roy are currently representing Ireland in the Gaelic Youth Championships in Wales and so missed yesterday’s reception.
Other stalwarts include members of the Joyce family who travel from Mullingar five nights a week to train in Athy and who hold a number of National titles between them.
John Clancy has eight National titles and has also represented Ireland at International level. Alan Foley, with two National titles, represented Ireland in Italy as well as winning a Silver Medal at the Gaelic Youth Championship. Alan is off to Hungary tomorrow (Wednesday) to compete in the Multi-Nation Championship and we wish him well. His brother Francis won his first National title this year.
St Michael’s Boxing Club was refounded in 1987 by Dominic O’Rourke who enlisted the help of the local Sister’s of Mercy in Athy. The Sisters gave the club the use of their hall in Mount St Mary’s for training purposes. They later moved to a premises in Nelson Street owned by local solicitor Frank Taaffe.
St Michael’s Boxing Club have thanked all who have helped in any way with their phenomenal success, including all local sponsors.
Cllr Michael Foley said he had no doubt that a boxer from the club would be selected to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games in Athens in four years time.
©2001trishwhelan/knn