Inaugural Peter O'Donnell Memorial Box Cup held in Clonmany

Some 400 young boxers from Ireland and Britain gathered in Clonmany last weekend for the inaugural Peter O’Donnell Memorial Box Cup, organised by the Donegal Boxing Board and hosted by St Bridget's Boxing Club.

Competitors from schoolboy, schoolgirl, junior, youth and under-19 grades took part, with 78 finals and 14 skills bouts staged before a capacity crowd in the Clonmany Community Centre.

Charlie Murray of St John’s BC in Derry was named best male boxer after defeating Glengormley’s Rogan Caldwell on a 2-1 split decision in their Boy 3 52kg final.

Banbridge BC’s Phoebe Clarke was named best female boxer after a unanimous decision win over Cassie Lynch of Illies Golden Gloves, while Banbridge were awarded the team of the tournament trophy after having 11 finalists.

Fittingly, Raphoe Boxing Club, which O’Donnell helped build and develop, celebrated a winner when Tyler Keaveney defeated Illies Golden Gloves’ Cormac Callaghan by unanimous decision in one of the fights of the day.

There was also plenty for the local St Bridget’s club to cheer with Keelan Kearney, younger brother of Conan who has just turned professional, earning a unanimous decision over Caleb Wright of All Saints. Shay Devlin stopped Churchlands Golden Gloves’ Antos Norzka in the first round of their 60kg contest, while Rowen Doherty edged Jamie Walsh of Ballybrack 2-1.

Colm Callaghan of Carndonagh also impressed, claiming a unanimous decision over Skerries’ Charlie Barrett in their U17 light-middleweight bout.

“Today is about more than boxing,” 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.”

Speaking on behalf of the O’Donnell family, Rory O’Donnell said his father would have regarded the event as ‘heaven on earth’.

“Look at this, three rings and boys and girls just boxing and just getting on with it and coming out with a smile on their face,” he said. “Win or lose, that was what he wanted to have, and he just loved boxing.”