St Canice’s ABC eligible for boxing money

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín, announced last year that boxing in Northern Ireland was to get a cash injection of £3m.

The Sentinel can now reveal that there are five boxing clubs in the local East Londonderry constituency who will be eligible for funding in the next financial year, including former European Champion Paul McCloskey’s old club in Dungiven.

Asked for the details on local clubs eligible for funding by DUP MLA Gregory Campbell, Ms Ní Chuilín replied: “The eligibility of any sports organisation, including boxing clubs, for funding in the next financial year will depend on the eligibility criteria that is applied to individual funding programmes.

“In relation to the Boxing Investment Programme, however, I understand that five boxing clubs based in the east of Co. Derry constituency have submitted expressions of interest forms to Sport NI. These are The Skerries Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) in Coleraine, Coleraine ABC, Errigal ABC in Garvagh, Chruchlands ABC in Coleraine and St Canice’s ABC in Dungiven.

“Sport NI has confirmed that all five of these clubs currently meet the eligibility criteria for assistance under the programme, which is presently out to consultation until February 8, 2013. Final decisions on funding will be taken once this process has been completed.”