North inner-city boxers must be on Croke Park card, says Ring

A local councillor has called for North Inner City boxing stars to be guaranteed places on any major fight night at Croke Park if a proposed homecoming bout for Katie Taylor goes ahead.

Independent councillor Nial Ring has tabled a motion for this month’s Dublin City Council Central Area Committee that would tie support for an outdoor event licence to the inclusion of local fighters Kellie Harrington and Pierce O’Leary (pictured below) on the card.

The move comes amid ongoing discussions between promoters, Croke Park officials and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, about staging a high-profile fight night headlined by Taylor.

Cllr Ring said he will seek backing from fellow Inner City councillors to ensure that any licence for the event is contingent on local representation in the ring.

“It seems that there are still on-going discussions between boxing promoters, Croke Park and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan to have a homecoming event for Katie Taylor,” he said.

“I am asking for support from my fellow Inner City Councillors that the Planning Department refuse an Outdoor Event Licence unless the promoters guarantee a ‘Homecoming’ slot for double Olympic Gold Medallist Kellie Harrington and a high-profile title fight for IBO World Champion Pierce O’Leary.”

Under the terms of the motion, the committee would only support a licence if three conditions are met.

These include a guaranteed place on the main card for Harrington, a significant title or high-profile bout for O’Leary, and a dedicated allocation of tickets for local residents and boxing clubs in the Dublin 1 and Dublin 3 areas.

The motion also proposes that councillors would formally object to any licensing application that does not meet these conditions, and that the decision would be communicated directly to Croke Park management, the minister and promoters.

Cllr Ring said the issue was about ensuring the North Inner City is properly represented on what would be a global sporting stage.

“While the prospect of Katie Taylor fighting at Croke Park is most welcome and would be a massive boost for Irish sport, we cannot allow a global event to take place in the North Inner City while overlooking the very legends who grew up on these streets,” he said.

“I am putting this motion forward to ensure that Kellie Harrington and Pierce O’Leary get the platform they deserve.

It is simply unacceptable that Croke Park may host an event for Katie Taylor in our backyard and exclude our own local champions.”

He added that the proposal is about recognising the area’s contribution to Irish boxing and ensuring the community shares in the occasion.

“This is about respect for the North Inner City. We welcome the investment and the spectacle, but we will not be side-lined.

“My motion ensures that the community is represented in the ring, not just outside the gates,” he said.

The motion is due to be considered at the next meeting of the Central Area Committee.

If passed, it would send a clear signal that local political support for any Croke Park boxing event will depend on the inclusion of the area’s own fighters.