‘Young boxers learn to be good human beings’

Boxing is well known as a sport that demands all sorts of qualities from those who step into the ring - physical prowess, a talent to use feet and fists to win bouts as well as a high level of fitness. Considerable mental strength is also demanded from those who take part in the sport that is governed by the Marquess of Queensberry rules.

At least three young boxers from the Navan area have shown they have the right stuff to not only survive but thrive in the sport. Davey Joyce, David Nevin and Paddy Nevin have recently made their mark in boxing.

All three are from the Meath town but they compete in the colours of the Holy Family Boxing Club, in Drogheda one of the most famous names on the Irish boxing landscape.

Joyce recently won the Irish Elite 60 kilo senior title and is part of the Irish High Performance team while David Nevin won the Irish u-22 heavyweight title a few weeks ago. Another member of the Nevin clan, Paddy, is only 13 but he has won both Louth and Leinster schoolboy championship titles qualified to take part in the All-Irelands.

The three boxers are also part of a larger contingent of young pugilists who are involved with the Holy Family club and who originate in the Royal County. "There are about 12 lads from Navan who are all boxing out of the Holy Family," explains club chairman Jim Gorman who is from Donore and has spent many years involved in the sport.

He was one of the founder members of the Holy Family club, 43 years ago. He was previously involved with a local cycling club before throwing his considerable commitment into helping Holy Family BC to develop and grow.

"In 1979 I stepped away from the cycling and helped to form the Holy Family in 1980 with three or four other men in Drogheda. We have a clubhouse that is state of the art and worth about €600,000. We have built a function room, another gymnasium and in the last few years we've built a high performance weight-training facility."

Boxing, adds Gorman, can teach youngsters invaluable lessons that can stand to them in life. "Boxing teaches discipline. Those involved can train up to four nights a week, they grow from young boys into men having learned respect for their opponents, respect for their community, for the people around them. It gives them confidence, they learn to be good human beings," he said.

"I know there are boxing clubs in Navan and Ratoath and I wouldn't want to encroach on them but our door too is open to any young people who want to join from Meath."

Among the most famous boxers to emerge from the Holy Family club is Damien McKenna who joined the club at six, boxed at four world championships, won nine Irish elite titles and boxed in various parts of the world.

He is now the club's head coach. Others such as Chris O'Reilly from Bettystown have gone on to taste success in what is a demanding but rewarding sport.