Kenneth Egan
Kenneth Egan - Shrewd boxing people who watched Kenneth Egan at underage level predicted a bright future for this Neilstown boxer. Some of the more mature patrons compared him favourably to the greats of the past. Kenneth’s senior and International career had its beginnings in 2001 when he took the National Senior Middleweight title. His reward was a place on the Irish team to box in the World Senior Championships in Belfast where he had two fine wins before giving way to a talented Cuban, Yordanish Despaigne. His record since that date has been truly outstanding and is a testament to his ability and dedication. A veteran of countless Internationals and Multi-Nation tournaments, Kenneth took Gold at the European Union Championship in 2005 and Gold again in 2008, this time in Ireland. In 2009, he claimed Bronze in Denmark. In the European Senior Championships in Bulgaria in 2006, he was again in the medals, this time securing Bronze. However, it was at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 that Kenny produced what was arguably his outstanding performance. Following wins over Julius Jackson (Virgin Islands), Silva (Brazil) and Tony Jefferies (Great Britain),he had reached the Olympic Final and a chance to emulate Michael Carruth’s feat in 1992. The whole of Ireland watched as Kenneth took on Zhang Xiaoping of China in his own backyard. He did not get the decision that day but many wondered what might have been had the contest been held in any other country. A model of dedication and perfection within the ring, Kenneth’s winning personality has made him a firm favourite with the wider public. One wonders how he would have done with some of the greats of the past – say Mick Coffey! Alas, we can only wonder.
Michael Carruth
Michael Carruth - At this stage, the story of Michael Carruth’s early years in boxing is well known – one third of the Carruth triplets, the others being Martin and William; trained by his father, Austin, in the Greenhills Boxing Club and then moved to the Drimnagh Club where he continued to be handled by Austin and history was about to be made. In 1987 and 1988, Michael secured back-to-back Irish Senior titles at Lightweight. In 1989, he missed the championships due to an injury but in 1990 he returned to claim the Lightweight title. In 1991, having moved up to Welter, his title hopes were dashed by Billy Walsh but in 1992, he made no mistake, overcoming Billy to take the Senior Welterweight title. In 1989, Michael gave a clear indication of intent when taking a Bronze medal at the World Seniors in Moscow, beating Radilou of France and Skipper Kelp of the USA before losing his semi-final bout to the talented Otto Andreas of East Germany. In 1992, Michael won the National Seniors, a subsequent box- off and a qualifying tournament to claim the Welterweight spot on the Irish team for the Barcelona Olympics. The outcome is now part of boxing history. Michael disposed of the challenge of Moselino Tuifao of Samoa, reversed the 1989 decision against Andreas Otto and easily disposed of Arkhan Chenglai of Thailand to reach theOlympic final.Those of us who were lucky enough to be in the arena in Barcelona that evening hardly dared to hope that, at long last, Ireland could attain the ultimate Olympic prize. Michael’s opponent, Hernandez of Cuba was good - all the Cubans were good; we had just witnessed Wayne McCullagh losing out in the Bantamweight final to Casamayor of Cuba. That was not to be Michael Carruth’s fate; three incredible rounds later he was Olympic Welterweight champion. All the previous near misses were forgotten; at long last Ireland had an Olympic Boxing Gold Medal; the honour that had finally eluded so many previous greats of the sport had finally been secured.
Mick Dowling
Mick Dowling - At 16 years of age, which many may now consider to be relative old to enter the sport, Mick Dowling became a member of Arbour Hill Boxing Club. In 1966 he reached the Irish Junior Bantamweight final against Sammy Vernon. It was Vernon who became champion that year, but Mick was back in 1967 to take the title. From there, Mick Dowling went on to win 8 Senior Bantamweight titles. Remarkably, for a boxer only a little over two years in the sport, Mick boxed his first International in 1967. In the following year, he was the Irish Bantamweight representative at the Moscow Olympics. He beat an East German and an Australian, before losing to a Japanese, Eiji Morioka, in the quarter-finals. A year later, Mick was on the move again, this time to the European Seniors in Bucharest. Having overcome Igor Kalagan from Russia and Rembard Schultz of East Germany, Mick reached the semi-finals, where he lost a split decision to Aldo Cosentino of France. However, he had secured a bronze medal, the only European medal for Ireland that year. Two years later, Mick once again represented Ireland in the European Championships, this time in Madrid. And once again, he boxed his way to the semi-finals, only to lose a controversial decision to the Russian, Alexander Melnikov. Nevertheless, he had secured his second bronze medal. In 1972, Mick went to another Olympic Games – this time in Munich. In his second contest, he came up against a Cuban, Orlando Martinez. After an all-action nine minutes, Mick lost, once again on a split decision. Mick Dowling retired from boxing in 1975 but continues to have a close association with the sport.
Philip Sutcliffe
Philip Sutcliffe - Philip Sutcliffe took his first Senior title in 1977 at Light Flyweight. Although only 17 years old, he was selected by the IABA as a member of the Irish team to box in the European Seniors in Halle. The faith shown by the selectors was rewarded when Sutcliffe returned with a bronze medal. In 1978, Sutcliffe took the National Flyweight title, beating Hugh Russell of Holy Family, Belfast in the final. In 1979 and 1980, he campaigned in the Seniors at Bantamweight, losing out in the final on each occasion to Richie Foster of the Phoenix Boxing Club. Nevertheless, he once again got the nod from the selectors to represent Ireland in the European Championships in Cologne and again, returned with a Bronze medal. The following year, 1980, Sutcliffe was on his way to the Moscow Olympics. He lost his opening bout to Daniel Zaragoza of Mexico, a man who was to subsequently claim world titles as a professional. Philip retired from the ring for a number of years before returning to take National Bantamweight titles in 1984 and 1985. In 1984, he once again represented Ireland at
the highest level – the Los Angeles Olympics. He must surely have bemoaned his luck when drawn against Maurizio Stecca of Italy, the tournament favourite. After a tremendous contest, Stecca took the decision and justified his favouritism by going on to win the gold medal. Philip now trains in the Crumlin Boxing Club and retains the enthusiasm for the sport which was evident throughout his competitive career.
Paul Griffin
Paul Griffin was Irish Senior Featherweight champion in 1991, 1992 and 1993. In 1992 he took home a Gold medal from the European Senior Championships in Gothenberg, the first such medal since Maxie McCullagh in 1949. In Bursa in 1993, Paul again brought back a European medal, this time a Bronze. He is seen here being presented with his Gold medal in Gothenberg by Felix Jones, President of the IABA and Vice President of the European Boxing Association.