Gloves come off to salute Doyle

The gloves will be off in a harbour town this weekend when it remembers the centenary of the birth of its most famous son — boxer, crooner, and film star Jack Doyle.

Numerous events are being planned in Cobh, Co Cork, to commemorate the birth of Doyle and they get under way tonight with 10 amateur boxing bouts. WBO-ranked No 6, middleweight Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, will attend, along with Michael Taub, author of the Doyle’s biography The Gorgeous Gael.

Also in attendance will be Doyle’s nephew, Chris Doyle. His uncle was not only a formidable boxer but a fine singer who made 78 records with Decca and starred in two Hollywood movies — McGlusky the Sea Rover (1934) and Navy Spy (1937).