Garda Boxing Club will mark the 100th centenary of An Garda Siochana with a fight night with New York Fire Department boxers.

This celebratory card takes place at the National Stadium from 7pm on September 23rd; 10 bouts will be down for decision.

Brian Sutton, Garda Boxing Club, says “An Garda Siochana have a rich and proud history of involvement with the sport of Boxing in Ireland. This history dates back to the formation of the IABA in 1911 when General Eoin O Duffy transferred from the Army to the newly formed Irish Police Service. Following the war of independence, he placed great importance on the sport of Amateur Boxing within An Garda Siochana. During Commissioner O’Duffy’s tenure, the sport of Amateur Boxing in Ireland was largely dominated by the Gardai and Army. Ireland’s new police force under Commissioner O’Duffy’s guidance helped the sport to emerge from the garrisons to become the working man’s sport, by assisting in the establishment of Boxing clubs throughout the country. Commissioner O’Duffy was somewhat of a visionary, who saw these Boxing clubs as a means of introducing Gardai into local communities.

“This work laid the foundation for the enduring relationship between members of An Garda Siochana and Boxing Clubs countrywide which continues to flourish to this very day. This is also evidenced in the GARDA/IABA Community Outreach program (Hi Garda) this year where members of An Garda Siochana visit and interact with Boxing Clubs nationwide and meet young people where they feel comfortable and built bridges to form stronger, safer and happier communities. The aim of this programme is to act as a vehicle for early intervention, resulting in young people engaging with community Gardai in a positive manner. A strong bond of friendship and respect has been established over many years of collaborative work and engagement between An Garda Siochana and the IABA.”

Members of An Garda Siochana have won national boxing titles and represented Ireland at national and international level. They have also won European and World Police Boxing titles.

Brian Byrne has 6 national titles. Ger Lawlor, Paul Connolly, Willie Cooper, Larry Morrison, Eddie McDonnell and Christina Desmond all won national titles. Adam Nolan has represented Ireland at the 2012 Olympics.

Tickets, priced at €10 for adults and €5 for children under 14, will be available on the door.