Donegal’s ‘Mr Boxing’ celebrated as ‘a titan of local boxing’

Councillors in the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District praised the lifetime’s work of Donegal’s ‘Mr Boxing,’ Peter O’Donnell.

A minute’s silence was held at October’s Lifford Stranorlar’s Municipal District Meeting in honour of Peter O’Donnell, who passed away this week, at the age of 75, following a short illness.

O’Donnell formed Raphoe Boxing Club in 1987, welcoming young boxers from all over the local area.

Lifford Stranorlar MD Cathaoirleach, Cllr Martin Hanley, said: “He is a massive loss to the community, the boxing community, and in Raphoe, for all the work he has done during the years. 

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“The amount of community work that people like that do, nobody sees it.”

Cllr Gary Doherty commented: “It is a terribly sad time for everybody, particularly the O’Donnell family and his wide circle of family and friends will miss him terribly, but also for us and the wider sporting community. 

“In this Municipal District and the Northwest, he was a titan of local boxing, and he really was the greatest champion of local boxing. 

“He came to Raphoe from Derry, but he made himself a true Donegal man over the years. He will be a huge loss to everybody in the boxing fraternity.” 

Cllr Paul McGowan commented: 2He has been a legend in boxing. He would be the face of boxing in this whole area.”