Limerick city set to fete boxing champ Lee
The Castleconnell boxer wrote on Twitter: “I’m looking forward to a great Christmas party back home in Limerick, where the fans have always been fully behind me. Hope to see ye all.”
Lee, who won the WBO Middleweight boxing title in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday, will get a Garda motorbike escort from the airport to City Hall where he will be accorded a civic reception at 4.30pm.
Thousands are expected to throng the Merchant’s Quay area where Lee will be introduced to the crowd at the entrance to City Hall by the mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, at 5.30pm.
Limerick, I'm coming home! Thank you to Limerick City, a civic reception planned for Wednesday. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) December 15, 2014
He said Limerick was looking forward to welcoming home its new WBO Middleweight World Champion.
Mr Sheahan said: “Andy Lee is our first world boxing champion and we’re thrilled with his success.
“Since his early days as an amateur boxer with the St Francis boxing club in the city to bringing home the WBO Middleweight World Champion title from Las Vegas over the weekend, we are immensely proud of his achievements.
“I would like to say a huge congratulations to Andy and I know the people of Limerick will turn out in their droves to welcome him back home this Wednesday.”
Following the announcement of the homecoming, the boxer tweeted: “Limerick, I’m coming home! Thank you to Limerick City, a civic reception planned for Wednesday. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
Gardaí are advising people to get to Merchant’s Quay in plenty of time and motorists are asked to park in city centre car parks as the car parking area in Merchant’s Quay is expected to be full due to sittings of the circuit court.
Helen O’Donnell, the chairwoman of the city centre business association, said: “The homecoming will give a great boost to the city centre and add to the Christmas festivities.
“I have no doubt but there will be a huge turn out as Limerick knows how to salute its sporting heroes.”
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