Linda Desmond is the new queen of Cork boxing

Cork boxer Linda Desmond, following a power-packed performance where she forced a first round stoppage during her Elite Boxing Final at the National Stadium last Friday night has now assumed the mantle of “Queen of Cork Boxing” following

From the first bell the Rylane boxer leapt from the stool, and like a red coated dog zooming out of traps, she made the first bend, and unleashed a flurry of quick punches which immediately stunned her opponent.

These punches had the precision of scud missiles and made greater impact because of the speed and accuracy with which they were despatched.

Her opponent a game fighter never fully recovered from the opening onslaught and despite attempting to sportingly box on, this contest was over, and the referee stepped in to close the bout. 

Magnanimous in victory Linda Desmond sportingly consoled her opponent; such is the beauty of humane understanding, which is a hallmark of amateur boxing.

An overjoyed Linda Desmond returned to her corner to rejoice with her coaches Seanie Barrett, Kieran Twohig and David Hayes. 

This was a magnificent achievement for Desmond. 

She has now won back to back Elite titles in the same year. 

This was also a phenomenal success for coach Seanie Barrett, a remarkable coach with a very shrewd boxing brain.

Linda prepared well for these championships and won a hard fight over Kaci Rock in a ding-dong struggle in the semi-final.

Linda paid tribute to Seanie Barrett for his outstanding knowledge of the sport, and also thanked fellow coaches Kieran Twohig and David Hayes for all their hard work. 

While he was not at ringside on the night, part of this famous victory must be shared with the lion-hearted Dan Lane. 

A man who started the club 45 years ago, opened the door on many a bad night swept the floor emptied the famous ringside buckets and was in Seanie Barrett's corner when Sean brought the first Elite title to the club. 

Dan still re bringing the paraffin oil, and paying for the matches which lit the roadside bonfires to welcome home Seanie after his famed National Stadium Elite triumph.

Seanie was “the boy wander” in Rylane, he had scored the vital goal in Croke Park, to give Cork victory over Mayo in the 1991 All-Ireland minor football final. 

He was an international boxer, the winner of two Elite titles, and last week, Seanie coached Linda Desmond to her second Elite title.

Amongst the Rylane contingent at the National Stadium was the club secretary John Crowley. 

John is affectionately known as the Minister for Happiness. 

He is the local postmaster, and a great servant to Cork Boxing. 

John can when called upon always and be fully relied on to assist the county board in many capacities and his work for the board is always fully appreciated.

The last 12 months has been a phenomenal period of time for the third level student.

She won an Irish senior title and went on to win the Elite title, the followed that success with an U22 title.

Following the success, she won the Echo Women in Sport Award for the month of November. 

This qualified her for the final, which took place last February. 

To the surprise of many, Linda was announced as the supreme winner of the annual award and was declared the overall Echo Women In Sport winner for 2023.

This was a remarkable achievement, as she had to fend off very talented female athletes from the world of athletics, camogie, football, basketball, swimming and soccer etc.

Two months later, she was presented with the Paddy Martin ‘Champ of Champs’ Cup. 

This was presented by the Tánaiste Micheál Martin. 

This event took place on April 20th last, on the occasion of Michael Martin officially opening The Tomas MacCurtain Museum at the Glen Boxing Club.

The presentation was made with an attendance present of over 300 people and Michael Martin when presenting the Cup said, “Linda was an outstanding athlete, she represented the highest standard in amateur boxing success.”

He congratulated her in being an international boxer and said he was confident she would retain her crown again this year – How right he was!

On Saturday last, while out on the hustings the Tánaiste was advised that the current holder of The Paddy Martin Cup, Linda Desmond had won another Elite title at the National Stadium the night before. 

A broad smile etched across his face and immediately sent Linda his congratulations and immediately quipped: “A true Champ holding ‘The Champ of Champions Cup."

Linda Desmond received best wishes and congratulations from all over the world, the Cork County Board formally congratulated her as an illustrious athlete who once again brought further glory to the sport of boxing on Leeside.

The President of the Board confirmed that all three senior national champions Linda, Katie, and Kuba would be guests of the County Mayor in the County Hall. 

In January, all three boxers will be presented with a county board gold medal at an event celebrating their success in song and in story in Hickeys famous sporting lounge in Dromahane, Mallow.