World Champion honoured at Mullingar Community College

Mullingar’s new World Junior Boxing champion, John Donoghue returned to his secondary school in the town today to a hero's welcome.

Mullingar Community College paid glowing tributes to their biggest sporting star, hailing his remarkable achievements in Armenia. The entire population of the school was afforded the 15-year-old a guard of honour as he returned with his gold medal and belt and he was honoured by the school following his historic success.

“Phenomenal, unreal, class act. These are the exact words Mr Mohan (principal) text me during the final on Sunday. Each had an exclamation mark after it and it shows what everyone felt when they saw you boxing,” said Emmett Kenny (assistant principal) during his address to the gathering.

Deputy Principal, Colette Dunning praised the fifth-year pupil’s remarkable resolve.

“We are absolutely delighted. To win a World title is such a huge achievement for you, your school and your family. And for all of the work of your coaches and the performance people who work behind the scenes to ensure it happened,” she said.

For John’s parents it has been a proud time and they are overjoyed at this outstanding achievement. His dad, John said they were aware of the new world champion’s potential from a very early age. His talents shone in a range of sports, from cross country running to league of Ireland soccer, but he was perhaps destined to become a champion boxer.

“We realised at a very young age that he was very talented. He started off running and excelled at cross country. He was really good at karate and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Sport was always his big passion. I suppose it was drilled into him, too, at home,” he said.

“He played with Inny FC and him and another young player from D’Alton Park were the only two players chosen to play league of Ireland football. When we handed in the birth cert John was three months too young. So, we put him into the boxing and the rest is history.”

His proud dad praised the impact of the Olympic Boxing Club on their son's sporting career.

"He is involved with a top club in Olympic Boxing Club and has a great coach in Johnny Joyce."

His mother, Bridgette, expressed her delight at the victory and remembered how talented her son was growing up.

"It’s brilliant; we are so proud of his achievements. He was picked for Longford junior Subway team (soccer) and played football at the highest level in this country," she said.

As a young boy, the world champion showed other traits all of which make him the success story he is today.

"He was very pleasant, very mannerly; he was always very warm and caring. People may think, because he’s a boxer, that he was just tough, but he was actually quite the opposite growing up,” she recalled.

Boxing is a great sport for discipline and self control and gives young people a focus. His mum said being involved in sport has been a major help to both her sons. Jason, John’s younger brother, won a silver medal in at the European Boxing Championships Slovenia.

“They have their own little network of friends, who are all into sport and they keep close to each other; keep each other intact. If one of them is doing wrong, another one will be quick to put them on the right road again,” she said.

Next year is just around the corner and the target is for both siblings to compete the European Championships, which would be a significant honour.

“Please God that will happen. They have to qualify for it first, through the Cadets in Ireland, and if they get through, they will both be off to Croatia,” said John.

Recalling the moment their son became Mullingar’s first World Champion, Bridgette and John said they were watching from home, cheering their son on.

“It was great; a case of finding anywhere we could scream loud enough! We were thrilled,” said Bridgette.

His grandparents on his mother’s side joined John in Armenia for the World Championships, while his other grandparents watched the fight with family members at home in Mullingar.

“They were delighted; they were just so proud and urged him on to victory. They are still over the moon. Myself and Bridget are the same; it’s just a special feeling. These are exciting times and we are delighted for John, in particular, because he puts so much effort into his sport,” remarked his proud dad.

Liz Lavery, CEO of the Longford/Westmeath ETB (Education and Training Board), attended the function, as did Deputy Robert Troy and Deputy Sorcha Clarke.