13 January 1999

MIKE HOWARD HONOURED ON MEMORABLE BOXING NIGHT. . .

TOM KELLY REPORTS

The history of boxing in Ballina may date back to 1923, but it is doubtful whether the sport in the town enjoyed such a convincing victory over overseas opposition as it had at the local Downhill Hotel on Saturday night when a Bedford selection was forced to endure a whitewashing over eight bouts.

The event, which was organised by Ballina B.C. in association with the Downhill Hotel, Brookland Oils and Lundy Meats, produced a standard of boxing which, regrettably, is only infrequently seen at tournaments around the county these days.

The highlight of the occasion, from many respects, was the presentation of a 'Hall of Fame' Award to Mike Howard, a former local publican, now living in Leeds, who gave a lifetime of service to the development of boxing at club, county and provincial levels.

A native of Doolough, Geesala, he was responsible for setting up Geesala B.C. on his return to Mayo after spending a number of years in Coventry, England. He subsequently joined the Gardai, and became a member of the powerful Gardai international boxing team in the early 1950s. He reached the final of the European Open Boxing Champions in 1953 and lost out narrowly to Archie Rankin, Scotland. Howard's coach was the legendary, Dick Hearns, Ballina.

Howard emigrated to America in the late fifties and, on his return, because involved in the Connaught Council of the I.A.B.A. and Ardnaree Boxing Club, of which he became president. He became involved in Ballina B.C. a number of years later. One of his great contributions to the sport was the organisation of a number of trips by the Connaught and Mayo boxing squads to Chicago. He also organised a trip by the Mayo boxing team to Malta in 1984, a trip on which I was privileged to be invited.

As long as I have been meeting Mike on the boxing circuit, I have always considered him a 'larger than life' personality. A thorough gentleman whose sense of honour was never far away, it was fitting that boxing should honour a man who contributed generously to the sport he loved.

Howard, who sat at ringside with many of his friends, would have loved to have been stuck in the middle of the action, calling the shots from his customary place in the M.C.'s chair. But this was his night to sit back and enjoy the plaudits and, more important in his opinion, the boxing.

MAINTAINED PRESSURE

The four Mayo boxers in the bill performed admirably.

Castlebar 's Barry McGreal, who was on a starvation diet to make the 54 kilo weight, was always in control of his bout against Jamie Lynch, maintaining the pressure on his opponent from start to finish.

Brian O'Donnell, one of Ballina 's emerging young stars, impressed none other than Nicholas Cruz, the former World Amateur Champion, with his slick display against Laz Ladher. Cruz, who is employed in a coaching capacity with the I.A.B.A., commented afterwards on O'Donnell's free-flowing style. He does not have a bad left hand, either!

Claremorris ace Joe Mullaney produced arguably the most hard-working performance of his career to defeat Gareth M. Tiernan. It was a cracking contest which was voted 'Best Bout of the Night'.

Charlie Ward, another promising Ballina fighter, was never short of courage and commitment in his clash with Chris McDonagh. The decisive punch was thrown in the fourth and final round when Warde caught his opponent with a stunning left to the head.

My vote for the 'Best Boxer of the Night' went predictably to Damian McKenna, a former Irish senior champion and international. On his form against Dean Maher, it is only a matter of time before the Drogheda lad is back in the big time.

Sligo's Alan Reynolds, the current Irish intermediate championship in the light-heavyweight division, did not leave anything to chance in his contest against Chris Baker. It was all over within 40 seconds, the Bedford boxing having hit the canvas twice.

A sudden end to a memorable boxing night. Great credit is due to the main organiser, Joe Lavelle who, apart from his duties with the Ballina club, is a member of the national coaching team preparing Irish boxers for the 2004 Olympics.

ALL THE DETAILS

Lightfly: Brian O'Donnell (Ballina) beat Kaz Ladher (Bedford) on points.

Bantam: Barry McGreal beat Jamie Lynch (Bedford) on points.

Featherweight: Joe Mullanney (Claremorris) beat Gareth M. Tiernan (Bedford) on points; Karl Brabazon (St. Saviour's, Dublin) beat Chris Hancock (Bedford) on points.; Damian McKenna (Holy Family, Drogheda) beat Dean Maher (Bedford) on points.

Welterweight: Michael Flynn (St. Joseph's, Sligo) beat Barry Reynolds (Bedford) on points.

Lightweight: Charlie Ward (Ballina) beat Chris McDonagh (Bedford) on points.

Light Heavyweight: Alan Reynolds (St. Joseph's, Sligo) beat Chris Baker (Bedford), k.o. round one. Result: 8-0.

The local official involved in ensuring the success of the tournament were as follows.

Team manager: Joe Lavelle. Coaches: Brian O'Donnell, Tom Walsh, Liam Collins and Andrew Dunne.

Tournament inspector: Joe Hennigan. Referees: Tommy Byrne, John Geraghty, Jim Ganley, Paul Imire and Larry Colhoun.

Judges: Jerry Hickey, Gerard Keane, Fiona Hennigan, Joe Charles and Tommy Byrne.

Time-keeper: Niall Breen. Medical cards: Denise McNulty. Medical Officer: Dr. Tom Moffatt.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - January 1999