'Commitment and dedication' of Offaly boxers praised at civic event

Three Offaly boxers were praised for their “commitment and dedication” to their sport at a Civic Reception hosted in their honour by Offaly County Council last week.

Gráinne Walsh, Nicole Buckley and Paul Loonam were the recipients of civic honours by the local authority and were commended by the Cathaoirleach of the Council, Cllr Frank Moran, for the “pride they have brought to Offaly” as a result of their sporting achievements.

All three boxers won National Elite titles in their respective weight categories at the National Elite Championships in January, which is the highest level attainable in Irish amateur boxing.

This is the first time that three boxers from Offaly have achieved such a distinction in the same year.

Speaking at last Friday evening’s event in the chamber of Offaly County Council, Cllr Robert McDermott, Chair of Offaly Sports Partnership, outlined the trio's respective impressive sporting honours and acknowledged their sporting past as they all were involved in various sporting activities from a young age.

He said their combined dedication to, and high performance in, boxing “has ensured the Offaly and Irish flags are flown with pride in numerous World and European competitions as well as domestic competitions.”

A number of other councillors also paid tribute to the three athletes and praised their achievements both on the domestic boxing scene and also at international competitions where they have proudly flown the flag for their county and their country.

Cathaoirleach Frank Moran paid tribute to the athletes boxing clubs and coaches including Tullamore-based Spartacus Boxing Club, under Dima Dmitruk, of which Gráinne Walsh is a member, as well as Paul Loonam Snr, Kevin Loonam, George Meares and Darren Buckley in Rahan- based St Carthage’s Boxing Club, which is the home club of Paul Loonam Jnr and Nicole Buckley.

All three sports stars addressed the Civic Reception and individually paid tribute to their families, boxing clubs and coaches, as well as their supporters and the wider boxing communities. The event was well attended by family members, boxing coaches and supporters of the three sports stars.

Each of the three boxers was presented with a framed certificate and a specially-engraved medal by Cathaoirleach Cllr Frank Moran, to acknowledge their pursuit of excellence in the boxing area, and as a memento of the honour bestowed on them by the council.