Dan’s dedication to boxing hooks top award
TALBOT COLLECTION SPORTS AWARD PRESENTED TO DAN LANE, WHO FOUNDED THE RYLANE BOXING CLUB IN 1979
IN recognition of his outstanding contribution as an administrator and promoter of boxing, Rylane’s Dan Lane became the latest recipient of the Talbot Collection Sports Award at a function in the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig.
The award acknowledges his dedication over many years to the sport. Rylane Boxing Club was formed in 1979 after Dan was asked by local curate Fr John Cronin to start a club for the youth in the area.
The club won their first All-Ireland in 1983 when Jerry Sheehan from Donoughmore won the Intermediate title followed by success for Sean O’Regan and Ben O’Riordan. Continuing to create an impression, the Barrett brothers, Declan, Seanie and David from Millstreet, won titles at Intermediate level.
Seanie progressed to add two senior titles, and the Barrett brothers also gained international caps for their dedication. To date, the Rylane club has won over 20 national titles, from Juvenile to Senior. At present the ladies are to the fore, with Chloe Barrett, Megan Lehane and Lynda Desmond enjoying success.
Founder Dan Lane has the distiction of coaching international Senior teams on more than 30 occasions, including the World Cup, Acropolis Cup in Greece, GB Cup in Helsinki, European Seniors Olympic Qualifiers, and many multi-nation tournaments.
The Rylane club has hosted the Four Nations event in the INEC, Killarney, three internationals in Millstreet’s Green Glens and multi-nations events in the Rochestown Park Hotel.
“I have been lucky to have a great committee who have worked hard and they all get on well together. A coach is only as good as the lads and girls that take up the sport, the training and dedication that they apply to the sport makes it a pleasure to work with them,” said Dan.
In 2004 at a multi-nations event in Rochestown Park Hotel Dan met Larry Morrison, a sergeant with An Garda Siochana and key to An Garda Boxing Club; later, the two groups teamed up to box members of the NYPD.
Rylane’s boxers are no strangers to Madison Square Gardens, Webster Hall and the New York Athletic Club. They also boxed the New York Fire Department for five years and the Boston Police. All shows were home and away, and the Cork representatives got great experience and enjoyment from these occasions.
“I’ve learned a lot from the boxers, some may be shy and quiet but the training and going into the ring gives them great confidence. To see a young boy or girl win a fight is brilliant and the excitement it gives the whole family is wonderful”, said Dan.