Irish Title History Confirmed for Eddie Hyland
Following a period of research it has been confirmed that Eddie Hyland completed a small piece of Irish boxing history last month.
The 37-year-old Jobstown man has become the first man to win an Irish professional title as a fighter and as a coach.
Following Carl McDonald’s super bantamweight title win over Dylan McDonagh at Celtic Clash 7 last month it was believed that the eldest Hyland brother had completed the feat.
This assertion has now been confirmed by legendary Irish boxing journalist and historian Gerry Callan.
Back in April 2008 Hyland claimed the Irish super featherweight title at the National Stadium following a war with Belfast’s Kevin O’Hara. Middle brother Pajo would stop cousin Paul Griffin to claim the featherweight belt on the same night while youngest sibling Paulie would defeat Marc Callaghan three months late to seize the super bantamweight title.
Following a stop-start few years, Hyland [16(6)-2(1)] would retire in 2012 and has since gone into training, following in the footsteps of his late, great father Paddy Snr.
Linking up with McDonald, a long-time Golden Cobra team-mate, the pair have enjoyed a sensational 2018.
McDonald [5(0)-2(0)] upset Colin O’Donovan to claim the BUI Celtic title during the summer before claiming Paulie Hyland’s old super bantamweight belt last month in an emotional night for the family.
Stephen Sharpe, manager of McDonald and close friend of Hyland, said that the piece of history “is an amazing achievement but doesn’t surprise me.”
“Look at the experience he has picked up over the years – his father Paddy was an incredible boxing trainer who trained Ed for the whole of his career and he is bringing all that knowledge and experience into his coaching.”
Operating out of SBG Tallaght, Hyland also works with Graham McCormack, Siobhán O’Leary, and Liam Gaynor among others, as well as being involved on the amateurs side of things alongside his two brothers and the Hyland Boxing Academy.
Sharpe feels that the grizzled former war-lover is perfectly suited to the booming domestic scene in Ireland.
The fight boss outlined how Hyland “totally understands the game, I remember back in 2012 I was involved in promoting “Rumble in Dublin at the National Basketball Arena. During the press conference for that show Eddie stood up and spoke about professional boxing, its challenges and the attitude fighters needed to adopt to succeed in the game and I remember thinking to myself that Eddie would make a serious trainer if he chose that route.”
“I do be amazed watching Eddie work with our fighters, you would have to see it to believe it, he is hard as nails and a big softy at the same time and has a finely tuned bullshit filter. No fighter, manager, or promoter could pull the wool over Eddie’s eyes.”
“He knows his fighters and understands what makes each one tick. The TNT gym is like a family unit, Eddie and Tommy McCormack are a great support to the fighters.”
