Special medals will be commissioned for the three-day festival of boxing taking place next year in Cork

Followers of Cork and Irish amateur boxing rejoiced this week following the splendid news from Dublin, that at long last a decision was finally made to drastically improve the image of the sport utilising the foyer and adjacent hall's at the National Stadium to project the great achievements of many of Ireland`s outstanding boxers. For many years Cork boxing officials have championed this cause, this case has been made on numerous occasions to various people but alas to no avail, until now. The work in draft form will commence immediately and the project is expected to be completed by Christmas. Elsewhere, the big show this week was at Croke Park where Katie Taylor fought her last bout before 82,000 adoring fans. Golden Gloves Boxing Club boxers: Ellie Murray and Leah Cairns This was a spectacular event, and great credit must go to the organisers. Kieran Fox an ardent reader of this column agreed it was a great boxing event, and he was delighted to see fans travel from all over the country to be in Croke Park. Kieran is a follower of all sports, and he concluded she was a great world and Olympic champion. Marty Morrissey who was doing the interviews for RTÉ told this writer it was an occasion that Croke Park and the people of Ireland will never forget. Morrissey has been on the cusp of occasional boxing commentaries for many years now and is looking forward to visiting the Glen Boxing Museum in the near future. The Katie Taylor event caused excitement all over the country, no more so than in Cork. During the week the Cork 96FM Broadcaster P.J. Coogan did a big programme on boxing. A few days in advance his producer researched the local boxing scene in Cork and sought out the services of former Cork Boxing Coach of the year John Morrissey the head coach with the Golden Gloves Club in Churchfield. In a thirty-minute interview John gave a great appraisal on the running of, and the very efficient organisation of the sport on Leeside. The emphasis was then placed on female boxing and Morrissey pointed to all the safeguards which exist in amateur boxing and consolidated this point by confirming in well over twenty years of female boxing in Cork, no female athlete was ever even remotely injured, and these are the facts. Those people who like to whip up fear should come and look for themselves and I can guarantee their fears would be allayed very quickly. Once again Morrissey is basking in glory again this year as his club won back the Victor Aston Cup this is the cherished chalice and premier boxing trophy in Cork. This is the silver symbol of success presented to the top club in Cork every year. In the last six years Morrissey has coached a multiplicity of male and female champions in all grades from eleven years old right up to and including senior and elite. Accompanying John Morrissey during the radio interview were two multiple All-Ireland champions, who are also international's and European medallists, Leah Cairns and Ellie May Murray. Father and son: Mick Kelleher and Tommy Kelleher of the Glen Boxing Club When interviewed by PJ, they answered honestly, and eloquently, and really got their points across on the fundamentals of female boxing not only in Cork but all over the world. Following the radio interview's Morrissey`s boxing club was being discussed in a cafe out around the Lough, and one observer relayed the following comment made by a southside boxing authority affectionately known as 'Jimmy Shoe'. Jimmy toiled for many moons in the Lee Boot and wanted to know with the conveyer belt of champions that Morrissey was turning out in Churchfield, was it a gym or a factory that Morrissey was running? Elsewhere, in preparation foe the senior boxing tournament on Friday, 23rd April next, as part of the three-day festival of boxing a magnificent souvenir medal has recently been designed and about to go the manufacturer. This depicts the City of Cork and its boxing tradition and symbolism. There will be 12 bouts, and each bout will commemorate the name of a Leeside boxing legend spanning over a period of 100 years and back to the first Irish Olympic boxing team of 1924. This will be a once off dated medal and a treasured possession for any boxer who is fortunate to receive one. Meanwhile, The Cork Ex-Boxers Association held a very progressive meeting recently presided over by Dan O'Connell a large gathering assembled, and numerous new innovations were discussed. A new template for the group is in the early stages of development however the primary core values of the original association will always remain to safeguard the cherished principals of a proud past. Cork Ex Boxers Association President Dan O'Connell with Zaur Antia and President Cork Boxing Fraternity Conal Thomas From the Olympic centre in Colorado Springs the new technical director to USA Boxing, Zour Antia has extended his congratulations to Dan O'Connell on his new vocation. Finally, this week, fans of the sausage are reminded the next Cork Boxing Breakfast will take place in the Muskerry Arms Restaurant in Blarney on Saturday, 19th September at 10am.