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Pa Flynn, of St John’s Boxing Club, Fermoy pictured with Katie Taylor, after her triumphant homecoming from the London 2012 Olympics. Katie will now fight in a tournament set to take place in Cork in early May. Photo: Avondhu archive

St. John's Boxing Club in Fermoy is to be totally transformed thanks to funding that's coming through the IBA from the Department of Sport and Recreation. The €25,000 allocated will allow the club to put in new flooring, a new heating system, new shower facilities, fireproof doors, new ceilings and to paint their premises. It'll also give them more open space, so that they can leave their boxing ring set up.

Club founder Pa Flynn is delighted with the funding, which he says will allow them redevelop and provide top notch facilities for its young members, which in turn will help them further the sport in the town. He also says the substantial funding is testament to and recognition by the IBA of the good work being done by the club.

GOOD SUPPORT

The IBA is organising tenders and will oversee the work done, to assure it is of the high standard they require. It's a good time, Pa says, to thank the IBA for its support and the endorsement by way of grant aid, the Munster Council for its ongoing support and the people of Fermoy. In particular the businesses who have supported the club since he set it up in 2009 in the name of his mentor, the late John Mahon, whom he remembers with great fondness. He also extends sincere thanks to Tony O'Neill, who gave them the use of the premises and is supportive of the refurbishment works.

The club has gone from strength to strength and there's plans to expand even further. "We're planning to cater to children from the age of five. It'll be non-contact boxing. We're also going to feature fitness classes," Pa explained. The club had three boys in the Munster final recently and one of their star boxers - Adam O'Neill - is going on to box in the national final in the National Stadium in Dublin on April 22nd.

FIGHT NIGHT

Meanwhile, Pa is busy with another project too - bringing Olympic gold medal winner Katie Taylor to Cork to fight in early May. In the Olympic Fight Night, she'll box Croatian champion Marja Petric on May 1st and Swiss champion, Anita Kessler on May 2nd at the Rochestown Park Hotel. Other Olympians such as Adam Nolan, Michael Conlon and John Joe Joyce will also be on the bill that's eagerly anticipated by boxing fans.

Pa reports that the first night is practically sold out, but some tickets are still available; the second night still has some unsold tickets but they're moving fast. Tickets can be purchased from the hotel or through Pa on 087 1675884.  

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