Irish boxing community and Tallaght mourn the loss of Paddy Hyland
THE IRISH boxing community bid a sad farewell to one of its well known sons, Paddy Hyland, who tragically passed away last week.
Founder of the massively successful Golden Cobra Boxing Club in Tallaght back in 1990, Paddy coached a huge number of young boys, and later girls, to success at all levels of domestic amateur boxing.
What’s more he was a major force behind the success of his three sons, Eddie, Patrick and Paul, in professional boxing, all three simultaneously holding the National titles in their respective divisions.
A former boxer with Donore, Paddy moved to Sacred Heart BC where he began his coaching career. On June 3, 1990 he, along with John Farrell, and with the help of his sister Marie, opened the doors of Golden Cobra Boxing Club for the first time.
Within a few months the club was boasting its first All-Ireland champion in Brian Lynch who preceded the golden batch of Darren Hyland, David Sweetman, Thomas O’Shaughnessy and Michael Dillon, all of whom captured national honours under the tutelage of Paddy.
By the time Cobra was due to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, the club had chalked up a stunning 52 national titles with a few coming in women’s boxing through the likes of Linda McDonald and Chantelle Spencer.
It was not long after the founding of Paddy’s club that his three young sons began demonstrating their potential, Paul raising All-Ireland titles all the way from Boy One through to Senior degree.
Patrick and Eddie were not short of success in the amateur field also and it was little surprise to see them, along with Robbie Long, turn their hand to professional boxing, Paddy again at the helm in this transition for his young proteges.
It was to prove a hugely successful move with the three brothers winning eight pro belts between them including three Irish titles, two IBF belts as well as the WBF World Featherweight title that was won by Patrick in 2011.
Every step of the way was their father Paddy, providing guidance and support, just as he had done with every boxer who had passed through the doors of his club.
Himself supported by his wife Dinah, as well as his daughters Leanne and Charmaine, Paddy represented Ireland as a coach.
Celebrating the life of Paddy at his funeral mass in St Catherine of Alexandria Church on Monday, Fr Val Martin, said “His [Paddy’s] success at promoting boxing and training many champions was only surpassed by the success he had at motivating many, many young boys to a better way of life, disciplining themselves and having a goal in life.”
