Tributes paid after death of 'great boxing man', Hudie McCole
Since the late 1960s, when the club was reformed after a dormant period, Hudie McCole was a constant presence at Dungloe Boxing Club
Tributes have been pouring in following the death of legendary Dungloe Boxing Club figure Hudie McCole.
Late last year, Dungloe Boxing Club honoured Hudie's stunning 56-year contribution to the club at a function in the Midway Bar.
Since the late 1960s, when the club was reformed after a dormant period, Hudie was a constant presence.
Under Hudie’s stewardship, the club has enjoyed great success over the years with multiple Irish, Ulster, Donegal and University champions.
His grandson Matthew McCole, now with the Illies Golden Gloves, is an Irish Universities champion and Ulster Elite champion.
Hudie also honed the skills of Danny Boyle and Shaun McShane, who boxed in the professional ranks.
The President of the County Donegal Boxing Board, Peter O'Donnell, led the tributes, saying: “On behalf of the County Board, I would like to extend condolences. Hudie was a great boxing man and the McColes are a great boxing family.
“Hudie was a great servant to the sport. He was the man in the engine room in the Dungloe Boxing Club and he travelled all over the country.”
The McCole family has been deeply involved in the sport with son Jim a former long-time coach at the Dungloe Boxing Club while another son, Brendan, won Irish Army and Irish Junior titles before representing Ireland in Golden Gloves competitions in Michigan and Chicago, where he lost to Lorenzo Smith, who late fought for WBO world super lightweight and WBO world welterweight titles.
Hudie is survived by his wife Alice, children Annemarie, Jim, Pat, Brendan, Breid, Yvonne, and Crona, his brother John and sisters Annie and Sarah (Lala), grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family.
His funeral Mass will take place at 11am on Thursday morning in St Crona’s Church, Dungloe, followed by interment in Maghery Cemetery.