Donegal and Derry boxers to joust for new Peter O’Donnell Memorial Cup

Boxers from Donegal and Derry will fight this weekend for the Peter O’Donnell Memorial Cup.

The Cup has been inaugurated in memory of O’Donnell, just under three weeks since the passing of the Derry native who made Donegal home and who was affectionately known as ‘Mr Boxing’.

This Saturday night at the Maldron Hotel in Derry, a top line-up of pugilists from the two counties will go to the squared circle with an extra special prize on offer.

O’Donnell, who was the President of the County Donegal Boxing Board, passed away recently.

He had become the Voice of Irish Boxing, from his role calling some of the biggest fights in Ireland, be it at the National Stadium or the Ulster Hall.

O’Donnell’s love of boxing was first honed at the Lombard Boxing Club on York Street in Derry where he boxed in his youth. 

In the late 1980s, by which time he was long since living in Raphoe, he became a founder member of the Raphoe Boxing Club and he also served as the PRO of the Donegal Board since the 80s.

The winning county on Saturday will take receipt of the Peter O'Donnell Memorial Cup.

Read next: High fives for St Bridget's as Donegal boxers taste Ulster 9 County Championship glory

Derry v Donegal Inter-County: Boy 3 59kgs - Gavin McDaid (Raphoe) v Caoimhin Hassan (The Ring); Boy 1 37kgs - Cillian Caldwell (Carrigart) v Darragh Bradley (St John’s); Boy 5 70kgs - Shayne O’Donnell (Annagry) v Charlie Barnett (Skerries); Boy 3 48kgs - Tyler Keaveney (Raphoe) v Charlie Murray (St John’s); Boy 3 54kgs - Noah Quinn (Carndonagh) v Charlie Heaney (St John’s); Boy 3 44kgs - Rowan Doherty (St Bridget’s) v Martin Ward (Oakleaf); Boy 5 66kgs - Brian Anderson (Twin Towns) v Shea Storey (Star of the Sea); Boy 3 70kgs - Patrick McDaid (St Bridget’s) v Ciaran Gallagher (St Joe’s).