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Sparkling fight night occasion as stars come out for Omagh Fund

A WHO'S who of big-name boxing stars from past and present stepped into the ring at Omagh Leisure Complex on Wednesday last to show support for the local community as it attempts to rebuild in the wake of the August 15 town centre bombing.
They joined more than 1,000 people for a boxing extravaganza that will long be remembered.
The leisure centre's main hall was packed to overflowing for 'A Night of Champions', promoted by Omagh Boys and Girls Club in aid of the Omagh Memorial Fund.
All expectations of the organisers were surpassed by the massive ringside support, which thronged the auditorium to catch a glimpse of, and mingle with, some of the boxing greats who graced the occasion.
Omagh will probably never see 'its likes again, and it is highly unlikely that Frank Bruno, Barry, McGuigan, Steve Collins and Frank Maloney, to name but a few will at any future date, gather under the same roof as the many other ring legends, who flew into the Province for the gala event.
Bruno, the former world heavy weight champion, was the star attraction, and he did not disappoint his many fans without tickets, who besieged every entrance to the complex hoping to meet him.
Collins, the undefeated WBO super-middleweight, was also a popular figure.
Among others who attended were: Johnny Caldwell, Charlie Nash, and Ray Close (former European champions); Darren Corbett (a former Commonwealth champion), Freddie Gilroy (a former British and Empire champion, 1961 and '62); Billy Kelly (a former Empire champion); Paddy Maguire, Sam Storey and Hugh Russell (former British champions); Dave 'Boy' McAuley and Glen McCrory (former world champions) and Gerry Storey (former Irish team trainer and current trainer of Corbett). As the huge crowd queued for admission to the main arena, victims of the Omagh bombing, members of the organising club and representatives of various organisations met the many stars at a reception. Later several bomb victims were introduced to the big names from the fight world, and shared a few quieter moments with them.
For Dromore girl, Donna Marie Keyes, and her fiancé, Garry McGillion, it was a night they will never forget.
Both still bore the horrific scars they received as the Real IRA bomb ripped through Market Street three months previously. Neither will ever forget the terrible events which happened.
Enjoyed
However, the couple were able to put all that behind them for a few hours, and said they enjoyed the evening, and the time they spent in the company of Bruno, McGuigan and Collins.
And there was a big surprise in store for them, too, as Omagh man, Lenny McNamee, and Michael Legg, who's work on the world famous Orient Express, flew in from London especially to present them with a free trip on the train to Venice. The young local couple said they would probably use the tickets on their honeymoon.
Donna Marie said she was "gobsmacked" by the gift, and was really looking forward to the trip.
"People are just brilliant and this is a wonderful night," she added.
Speaking to one of our reporters, several of the boxing stars impressively put across the message that boxing had consistently brought people from both communities together.
Collins said: "There is only one boxing team in Ireland. It is something that people like Barry [McGuigan] and Wayne McCullough have worked on."
He went on: "We are only too glad to be able to do our bit for this town, which had been so tragically hit. When you meet people like Donna Marie you are moved, but it is great to see her looking so happy."
McGuigan echoed the sentiments of Collins, stating that boxing had always had an influence on Northern Ireland's divided community, and had always striven to heal the divisions.
He said he had been moved when he had visited patients in hospital shortly after the bombing, and he had been moved again when meeting some of them at the fight night.
'Caring'
"Boxing is seen as a rough and tumble sport, sometimes portrayed as being brutal. That is not the image here tonight. There are caring people both at amateur and professional level," said McGuigan.
He continued: "It is great to come and meet these people again. There is a positive attitude from them all, and that is an example to us all."
Frank Maloney, manager of Lennox Lewis, also highlighted the point that people in boxing have a heart.
"It is really very hard to know what to say to the people who lost member of families, or who were badly injured in the bomb. We can just tell them we were thinking about them then, and that we will continue to do so in the future," he said.
He went on: "People in boxing do care and that is emphasised here tonight. That is why all these big names are here. They want to let the people of this town know they care."
Bruno said that while there was a lot of excitement, it was also a sad evening because they were here to meet victims of the bombing.
He admitted he felt humbled by the spirit of the people in the town.
"It has been tremendous being here. I am glad I could help in some small way," the former heavyweight champion said.
"I hope those who lost a member of their family can take some heart from meeting with some of us tonight," he said.
In the main arena the public were waiting for the star-studded evening, now running slightly behind schedule, to get underway.
Jim Noonan, MC for the occasion, announced each of the celebrities in turn. They came into the arena individually to a musical fanfare, and, once in the ring, waved to the crowd.
The biggest cheers of the evening were saved for McGuigan, Collins and Bruno, while it was an emotional time for Boys Club member, Gary McGillion, as he took his salute, along with his bride-to-be, Donna Marie.
Silence
A complete hush descended on the hall after all the euphoria of the preliminaries as the crowd rose as one to stand for a minute's silence in memory of the 29 bomb victims.
In the course of the evening members of Eastwood ABC, Nottingham, presented a cheque for £100 to the Omagh Fund.
And, among the referee's was Omagh's own world qualified official, Michael Gallagher.
The publican's wife, Patricia, was badly injured in the bomb blast, but, after receiving treatment in the Royal Victoria Hospital, made a full recovery, and was present as the boxing began.
Then it was time for the auction.
The tournament featured members of the Boys and Bishop Kelly clubs against boxers from various parts of Ireland and England, with the crowd, not unexpectedly roaring on their local favourites, most of whom punched their way to success.
During the interval the 'Dizzy Dancers Line Dancers' performed a sparkling routine, and there was an auction of boxing memorabilia.
The prized item was a Henry Copper glove which went for £250, and a Darren Corbett jacket fetched £120.
Speaking later, Boys and Girls Club chief, Mr. Paddy McMahon, said he had been overwhelmed by the manner in which the tireless work and preparation of his club officials and boxing team had proved such a success.
Disclosing that the event had raised at least £5,000 for the Omagh Fund, he added: "Just how very worthwhile it was, was brought home to me when I saw how the spirits of so many people, including so many young people, were lifted by the appearance of the boxing stars.
"They had time for everyone, and not one penny was asked for, nor one given, to any of the celebrities.
"I shall never forget either, the quality of the tournament itself. It was masterly put together by club coach Davy Simmonds.
"The whole occasion was a joy to experience."