A TROPHY has been presented to a Northside secondary school in memory of a local boxing coach who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Séan Mohan, who founded St Luke’s Boxing Club in Kilmore West in 1977, lost his battle with cancer in February of this year.
However, Séan’s memory will live on in the sport he loved so much after his family donated a trophy to Colaiste Dhulaigh’s boxing team.
Over many years, Séan had a long association with the Coolock college where the boxers excelled in major championships.
The trophy will be awarded annually to the boxer who shows the Best Effort throughout the year.
Séan’s son, Philip, told Northside People that his late father always admired someone who tried.
“The trophy won’t go to the best boxer but to the one that works hard and tries his best,
? said Philip.
“St Luke’s Boxing Club has had a great association with Colaiste Dhulaigh down through the years and our family is delighted that this trophy will take pride of place in the trophy cabinet at the school.
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Joe Vaughan, a teacher and boxing coach at Colaiste Dhulaigh, accepted the Séan Mohan Memorial Trophy on behalf of the college.
Joe said that following Séan’s death, Colaiste Dhulaigh had lost one of its greatest benefactors.
“His loyalty to the college knew no bounds and the boxing club St Luke’s was an integral part in the sporting lives of our students going back to 1980,
? he stated.
“Séan played a huge role in the preparation of our boxing teams and his expertise and experience were invaluable.
“He was a central figure in our success in the ring in the CDVEC championships for over three decades.
“In the club Séan worked hard to impart the values of amateur boxing to our students: self-discipline, respect for the opponent and fair play.
“Séan was a strict disciplinarian who instilled and got respect for himself as a coach and for the facility he was providing. In short, he took no nonsense.
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Joe said that with time the students benefited and responded well to his firm approach.
“They certainly appreciated it when they found themselves facing tough opponents in the schools finals in the National Stadium,
? he said.
“Of course, the students knew instinctively that there was more to Séan than his tough uncompromising exterior.
“They knew that his bark was worse than his bite and that he had their best interests at heart. To quote his nephew, Fr Mark, who gave the eulogy at his funeral:
‘Séan had a tough tenderness about him’.
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Joe continued:
“Sadly Séan faced his toughest fight ever when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2004.
“He fought this wily opponent to the bitter end in the only way that Séan knew. With great determination and ferocious grit he gave it everything until he had nothing left to give, and never ever considered throwing in the towel until he was finally counted out on February 16.
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Joe added:
“We will miss Séan and though it has been said of others before him, I can say with absolute conviction as someone who knew him well (Ni bheidh a leithead aris ann) – his likes will not be seen again.
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While Séan’s memory will live on through this fabulous trophy, he will also be forever remembered at St Luke’s Boxing Club, which is still running today under coach Gerard Riordan and his father Terry.