NYPD boxing match to pack a punch

IT COULD be a case of NYPD black and blue after a novel boxing tournament in Cork next month.

A team drawn from the garda boxing club and Rylane Boxing Club in Cork will jump in the ring to take on a team from the New York Police Department as part of the Cork 2005 celebrations.

Details of the event were launched yesterday at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

The tournament will take place on St Patrick’s Day at the hotel and a gala dinner will also be served.

Rylane Boxing Club has a long tradition in the sport.

Members have competed in and organised a number of international events in Ireland including tournaments at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, the Four Nations Championships in Killarney and recently the Multi-Nations Tournament at the Rochestown Park Hotel.

The Garda Boxing Club was formed just after the foundation of the force in 1922.

Members have won tournaments at national and international level.

The club recently won three gold medals, two silver and one bronze at the World Police and Fire Games in Barcelona, where they competed against boxers from 17 countries, a garda spokesman said.

Officials from both Rylane and Garda Boxing Clubs as well as Dominic O’Rourke, President of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association were at the launch.