McCarthy set to pack a punch as GAA star steps into ring

DUAL All-Ireland winner Teddy McCarthy, yesterday embarked on an eight-week quest that will end in a boxing ring at the Citywest Hotel, where Ireland’s first White Collar Boxing Show will be staged on November 4.

“It’s not about the destination it’s about the journey,” insisted organiser Cathal O’Grady, the former Irish senior champion who boxed in the Atlanta Olympics.

“I am sure everybody at some stage must have wanted to climb into a boxing ring and we have offered them this opportunity through White Collar Boxing and it is amazing the people who have come forward.”

McCarthy, who claimed the double when he helped Cork footballers and hurlers to the 1990 All-Ireland titles, was one of the first to answer the call.

“I felt I needed to get fit again but I needed a target and when this was put to me I was excited,” he admitted.

“I never boxed but it was something I always wanted to do. I would have been a huge boxing fan. Ali would have been one of my heroes.”

He was in Ballsbridge along with Roddy Collins, whose background is in football as a player and most recently as manager of Shamrock Rovers.

However, Collins’s brother Steve fought and beat Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn in stunning world title fights 10 years ago and his family was steeped in boxing tradition.

He said: “I had a couple of amateur fights. We had a gym at the back of the house and we all trained there.”

McCarthy has appointed Gary Hyde as his advisor. Hyde, who boxed out of the St Colman’s club in Shanagarry, was beaten in three national finals and will oversee McCarthy’s regime of training five days a week.

“If Teddy started to box as a 10-year-old he would have made the Olympics,” Hyde said.

“I’ve never seen such single mindedness. He has the ability to push himself to the limit and beyond. It’s exciting to work with someone like him.”

Meanwhile, his student is looking forward to the All-Ireland football semi-final in Croke Park on Sunday, when he feels Cork will beat Kerry.

“There is something about this Cork team. They have that swagger and that bit of arrogance you need to beat Kerry - indeed to win an All-Ireland,” he said.

“They are young and Billy (Morgan) has brought out the best in them. They ooze confidence. There is an All-Ireland in this team but whether it is this year or not, I am not sure.”