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Links between Castlebar and France recognisedBY TOM KELLYCastlebar Urban Council extended a civic reception to the members of the French Boxing Team visiting the town at the weekend for the international bicentenary show. Mr. Johnny Mee, chairman, said he was privileged to extend a warm welcome to Monsieur Michel Baudel, team manager, officials and members of the squad who were making their first visit to the West of Ireland. He said: "The people of Castlebar are very conscious of the strong links which bind our two communities. It is fitting that we should have our French visitors here at a time when we are celebrating the landing of the French troops at Killala in 1798, under General Humbert, and the historic Races of Castlebar." Mr. Mee said he hoped they would return home with many happy memories of Castlebar and its people. He made a special presentation to Mr. Baudel, and each member of the party received a pin of a pike commemorating 1798. Mr. Mee also made a presentation to Mr. Sean Horkan, honorary life president of Castlebar B.C. Mr. Baudel thanked Castlebar Urban Council for their kind gesture. He said they felt very much at home in Castlebar. He stated: "Some of us live in Auray, Castlebar's twin town in Brittany. We heard about the friendship and hospitality of the Irish, and it was great to experience it at first hand." He thanked Mr. Eamon Horkan, chairman, Castlebar B.C., and his committee for extending to invitation to them. "Boxing is a sport of friendship, and I hope the Castlebar club will be in a position to return the visit next April." Mr. Joe Gilmartin, Castlebar, performed the role of interpreter during the reception which was was attended by Mr. Brendan O'Connaire, president, Irish Amateur Boxing Association. During their visit, the French team visited the Windy Gap through which General Humbert and his troops came on route from Killala to Castlebar during the '78 Rebellion.
French battle cry sounds sweet in Castlebar againBOXING NEWSRINGSIDE REPORT :: BY TOM KELLYIt most certainly was not in the planning, but a French victory was more than appropriate in a tournament designed to mark the bicentenary of the 1798 Rebellion in Castlebar. At a perfectly appointed venue less than a stone's throw away from Staball where one of the fiercest and most significant battles took place two hundred years ago, the spoils were won handsomely by the noble gentlemen from the birthplace of the legendary General Humbert. The only difference this time around was that it was the local fusileers who took the beating! Not that anybody was overly perturbed. The 4-2 triumph by the Northern France selection over a team representing the West of Ireland at the Failte Suite, Welcome Inn Hotel, on Friday, was more than deserved and free of controversy. In the view of this observer, however, it was more the sense of occasion than the pugilism which left the lasting impressive. Don't get be wrong. The boxing was of a fine standard, particularly from the French whose technique and elegance was compelling at times. But if Castlebar Boxing Club had a reputation for given an oft maligned sport a stage on which to be proud, then this event went another step along the way in copperfastening that standing. They have never been found wanting in their ability to pull out the stops when the challenge is presented, and this was undoubtedly one of their finest efforts. No other club that I know of in the county took the trouble of giving the bicentenary celebrations a sporting flavour. Castlebar B.C. did so with customary organisational precision, and everybody associated with the success can take a deserved bow. Now to the boxing.The home team got off to a bad start, from which it never recovered. Each of the first four bout went to the French, and all were majority decision verdicts expect for Geesala's Sean Neary defeat on a 3-2 majority decision to Gildas Gauzicher. I thought Neary, as game a fighter as there is on the local circuit, was unlucky not to snatch it. But he was perhaps too adventurous and daring for the judges's liking. IMMENSE VERVEThe two Castlebar boxers, Barry McGreal and Joseph Corcoran, opened the bill. McGreal, who performed with immense verve and energy, found Anthony Andre a little too tricky, and he was forced to take standing courts in the first and third rounds. Corcoran's bout with Vincent Deziterre was a tame, cagey affair, but the French boy's ability to deliver the more direct hits became evident from an early stage. Joe Mullaney, Claremorris, ran out of steam in his five-round cracker against Sabantien Phillipotte, but he showed strength in abundance and a capacity for mixing it when he had to. The star of the show, from a local perspective, was undoubtedly David Conlon, the young Ballyhaunis man boxing out of Loughglynn. His power and direct style had Serge Leroux under all sorts of pressure, and the crowd really responded to Conlon's tenacity. In the final bout, Darren Conlon may not have reached the heights of his twin brother in terms of zeal and passion, but he did more than enough over five rounds to put paid to the challenge of Romaric Highard. ADMINISTRATION TEAMAn 33-strong administration team ensured the smooth running of the programme, and it was as follows. Team Managers: Eamon Horkan (Castlebar) and Michel Baudel (France). Coaches: Declan Corcoran (Castlebar), Paddy Gannon (Castlebar), Mick Warde (Loughglynn), Joe Flynn (Loughglynn), Gerry Coyle (Geesala), Michael Mullaney (Claremorris), Joe Charles (Claremorris), Joe Byrne (Swinford), Pat Marrey (Ballinrobe) and Yvon Andre (France). Judges: Fiona Hennigan (Ardnaree), Gabriel McNulty (Ardagh), Joe Charles (Claremorris), Gerard Keane (Kilmaine) and Pierre Couqouvilic (France). Referees/Judges: Jimmy Ganley (Ardnaree), Larry Colhoun (Ardagh), Tommy Byrne (Swinford), John Geraghty (Swinford) and Daniel Caives (France). Tournament Inspector: Joe Hennigan.(Killala). Record Books: Denise McNulty (Ardagh). Chief Whip: Mark Jordan (Castlebar). Timekeeper: Neil Breen (Swinford). Glove Stewards: Kenneth McGreal and John Bartley (Castlebar). Whips: Martin McLoughlin and Martin Roache (Castlebar). Medical Officers: Dr. Noel Hynes (Castlebar) and Captain John Cunningham (Castlebar). Master of Ceremonies: Joe Daly (Castlebar). The officers and members of Castlebar Boxing Club are as follows. President, Mark Jordan; Hon. Life President, Sean Horkan, chairman, Eamon Horkan, vice-chairman, Larry McHale, secretary, Connie McGreal, assistant secretary, Paula Roberts, treasurer, John Hamrock, and public relations officer, Pat Flannelly. Committee: Martin Roache, Martin McLoughlin, Martin Corcoran, John Mee, Supt. Joe Staunton, Thomas Cresham, Pat Jordan, Joe Daly, Paddy Kilgallon, Timmy McGreal, John Collins and Bernie Collins. CHECK ON THE RESULTSINTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME, sponsored by the Welcome Inn Hotel Bantam Cadet: Barry McGreal (Castlebar) lost to Anthony Andre on points. Bantam Youths: Joseph Corcoran (Castlebar) lost to Vincent Deziterre on points. Junior Lightweight: Joe Mullaney (Claremorris) lost to Sabantien Phillopotte on points. Junior Welter: Sean Neary (Geesala) lost to Gildas Gauzicher on points. Intermediate Welter: David Conlon (Loughglynn) beat Serege Leroux on points. Intermediate Light-middle: Darren Conlon (Loughglynn) beat Romaric Highard on points. SUPPORTING BOUTS, sponsored by Castlebar Garda Siochana (Castlebar names first) 33k, Pat Hopkins beat Cathal Maye (Swinford) on points; 39k, John Flannelly beat Matthew Cawe (Ballinrobe) on points; 42k, Martin Roache beat Kieran McGrath (Swinford) on points; 42k, David McGreal beat Kelvin Bladen (Geesala), referee stopped contest. Special presentation to Eamon HorkanThe president of the French Regional Boxing Federation, Mr. Michel Baudel, presented a gold medal, the premier honour in French boxing, to Mr. Eamon Horkan, chairman, Castlebar Boxing Club, to mark his 30 years involvement in the sport. The presentation was made a farewell dinner in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar, on Saturday night. Mr. Baudel, who was manager of the French team which visited Castlebar over the weekend, thanked the members of the Castlebar Club for their hospitality. Presentations were also made to Sean Horkan, life president, Connie McGreal, club secretary, John Hamrock, treasurer, Larry McHale, vice-chairman, Paddy Gannon, coach, Declan Corcoran, coach. Mr. Baudel extended an invitation to the Castlebar Club to visit Brittany next April.
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