Newry Sinn Féin host boxing extravaganza

The main contenders had spent eight weeks in intensive training

A FANTASTIC EXPOSITION of skill, speed and strength was displayed at the inaugural Newry Sinn Féin White-Collar Boxing Extravaganza in Bellini’s Entertainment Venue on Friday 22 November.

Men and women participated in the event which was opened with four junior rounds by budding boxing stars.  The main contenders had spent eight weeks in intensive training with the help of St John Bosco Boxing Club coaches and as the punches flew it was easy to see the level of skill and determination in all of the participants’ faces.

Master of Ceremonies on the night was the irrepressible Barry McElduff MLA, who has been in a fair few dust-ups during his lifetime.

Barry commended all those who had helped organise the event, saying:

“This is a wonderful event and I’m delighted to see so many people here supporting our boxers and supporting Sinn Féin as it goes forward to contest the local government elections in 2014.”

•  Councillor Valerie Harte presents Pauline McCormick with the Best Female Boxer trophy

MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy described the event as the first in a series of promotional and fund-raising events planned by Sinn Féin activists in Newry.

“It is great to see such support for this event. It has been many months in the planning and all of the hard work has paid off judging by the large attendance and the quality of tonight’s boxing.  One of the aims of this Boxing Spectacular was to fund-raise for the 2014 election campaigns of current councillors Charlie Casey and Valerie Harte and new candidate Liz Kimmins.  

“I would like to thank all of the local businesses who sponsored the event and also those who bought tickets and attended. Anyone who would like to get involved in the election campaign or any of Sinn Féin’s work should contact Newry Sinn Féin.”

All the boxers who participated on the night received a congratulatory medal and ‘Best Male Boxer’ Michael Maguire and ‘Best Female Boxer’ Pauline McCormick received individual trophies.

•  Best male and female boxers with (front row) Charlie Casey and Barry McElduff and (back row) Daire Hughes, Valerie Harte, Liz Kimmins, Conor Murphy, Chris Hazzard and Megan Fearon