“The Nursery of Amateur Boxing”. This was in fact the title bestowed on the Dublin League Competition, not by those currently involved in the successful continuance of this competition but incredibly, by Irish boxing administrators in the 1930s. Dublin boxing clubs and fans owe a debt of gratitude to a small band of enthusiasts who introduced the competition in 1933.

In 1933, there were fewer than a dozen boxing clubs affiliated to the Dublin County Board. Tournaments, which were the exception rather than the rule, were mostly run in the Mansion House. Organisers understandably wanted to showcase the top senior boxers at the time. Consequently, for those who did not fall into the Senior category, there was little hope of securing a contest apart from the very occasional inter-club bout. This state of affairs was disheartening to juveniles, juniors and novices who could not get any further than the monotony of training in their own gyms.

Many boxers despaired of even getting a contest and became disillusioned with the sport. The problem came to the attention of the Rev John McLoughlin, at that time Treasurer of the IABA, and a man of exceptional organisational ability. Together with Mr Colm Gallagher, Secretary of the Dublin County Board, Rev McLoughlin introduced a scheme to give adequate contests to juveniles and novices and so the Dublin League system came into being.

The competition embraced three sections; Junior Juvenile, Senior Juvenile and Novice. During the initial years, the competition was run on a team basis. Each club entered boxers in any or all of the three grades. Each team had to meet all others in the same section and the one gaining the most wins in that particular
sector was declared the winner. The competition proved to be immensely popular and the opening series were held in the St Andrews Gym, York Street, Corinthians Gym, Gardiner Place and also in Collins Barracks. The following teams competed: St Andrews, Arbour Hill, Corinthians, Avona, Phoenix, Myra, St Josephs, St Catherines and United Services. The winners in that first season were St Andrews - Senior Juvenile, Arbour Hill - Junior Juvenile and Corinthians - Novice.

While the competition proved to be a huge success and attracted many new entrants to the sport, one serious snag was recognised. Because the competition was run for teams, individual successes did not gain any tangible reward. In several cases, it was found that boxers who had won their contests individually were on the losing team and were not entitled to a medal while on the other hand, many boxers who lost their bouts individually were on the winning side and therefore received a medal.

It became clear that boxers who had shown individual merit would have to get recognition. The committee abolished the team system and introduced the individual grade system which continues to this day. In addition, two further categories were added: Junior Class, for those above Novice; and Intermediate Class, open to those above Junior. As a result, the Leagues catered for every class of boxer apart from Senior. The Dublin Board motto at the time was “Look after the Novices and Juveniles; the Champions will look after themselves”. The Leagues now offered every opportunity and encouragement to those boxers who trained conscientiously. Almost every Dublin boxer since 1933 who has succeeded in winning a National Senior title took his first tentative competitive steps in the Dublin Leagues. Present League enthusiasts owe a huge debt of gratitude to its original sponsors, the Rev John McLoughlin and Mr Colm Gallagher

  Colm Gallagher        Rev John McLoughlin