DEE Walsh has plenty of special memories of Eoin Hamill from their short time spent together - young fighter, young coach, a bond forged through hours of listening and learning behind closed doors at the Gleann club.
But there is one moment that sticks with him, perhaps because it was only a couple of weeks ago, more likely for the surge of pride he felt and still feels.
The pair were inside Corpus Christi Boxing Club just before Christmas, waiting for the action to get under way as County Antrim were due to face off against a County Kildare select.
Walsh takes up the story.
“Eoin was fighting a wee lad who was All-Ireland champion,” he recalls, “and before the fight the other kid came up and was trying to psyche Eoin out a bit. That sort of thing happens in boxing, but Eoin didn’t back down whatsoever.
“I was so proud of him, seeing that.”
Eoin carried that fearless form into the ring, winning all three rounds. The coach in the corner couldn’t keep the smile from his face.
“He was brilliant, absolutely brilliant, and I remember thinking ‘I’m really looking forward to working with this kid more’. I wanted to see him at his best, at his most confident.
“Eoin was going to come good, I’ve no doubt about that. He was really starting to find his way.”
To the shock and sadness of the entire boxing community and beyond, that would turn out to be his final fight.
Eoin Hamill, just 13, died after being knocked off his bike by a car close to the junction of Belfast’s Upper Springfield Road and Norglen Parade on Friday afternoon.
“Everybody who knew Eoin is just completely devastated,” said Walsh.
“I started working with him around about the Antrim championships last year, and he really was a joy to work with. Honestly, I just loved that kid; he was so happy, so well mannered, he hung on every word you said.
“Even after he lost in the Ulster final there, he was just getting better because of that. He had so much going for him… it’s very hard to take in. I can’t imagine what his family must be going through.”
Hundreds of people attended a vigil for Eoin on Sunday night, and his funeral takes place at Holy Trinity Church at 10am this morning.
Dee Walsh and all the other Gleann coaches and boxers will be among the mourners, as will many of those fighters who embarked on a major fundraising drive over the weekend.
Carl Frampton, Michael Conlan, Katie Taylor, Sean McComb, Paddy Barnes, Ruairi Dalton, Padraig McCrory, Tyrone McKenna, Luke Keeler and Marc McCullough were among those who auctioned off fight shorts, gloves and other memorabilia, raising thousands of pounds for the families of Eoin Hamill and another talented young boxer whose funeral also takes place today, 11-year-old Cillian Draine from Star ABC.
“There’s no other sport like it at times like this,” said Walsh.
“It’s really amazing to see, and I take my hat off to all the lads who helped out and were fundraising over the weekend. The likes of Sean McComb would know wee Eoin’s dad really well.
“It gives you a lot of faith in the people who are actually in boxing, because it’s at times of need you see what boxing has to offer.”
STAR REMEMBER 'PASSIONATE' YOUNG BOXER CILLIAN DRAINE
STAR Boxing Club have paid tribute to “happy, vibrant, eager and passionate” young boxer Cillian Draine.
The 11-year-old passed away last Thursday, and his funeral takes place at St Therese of Lisieux Church at 3pm today.
Coach Liam Corr said everybody at Star had been left with “an unbelievably broken heart”, and spoke warmly of “a cherished friend” to all at the north Belfast club.
“Cillian was a happy, vibrant, eager and passionate young boy who loved boxing and training.
“He, along with his brother Fiontan, from joining the club slotted into the Star family right away. Cillian wasn’t just a boxer to all his friends and coaches but a cherished friend who will be so deeply missed by us all at the club.
“Words can’t comprehend how we are feeling at this time; a huge void will be left in the Star. We want to take this time to send our love and condolences to his mother Mary, father Mick and brothers Michael and Fiontan and the entire family circle.
“No words we can say will ever make this easier but please know we are here whenever needed.”
2020 DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES
JANUARY
Jan 10-11, 17-18, 24, 31: Irish U18 Championships (National Stadium)
Jan 18-19, 25-26: Ulster 9 County BG4-7 Championships
Jan 20-26: Strandja Memorial Tournament (Bulgaria)
Jan 25: Annual awards night (Louis Fitzgerald Hotel)
Jan 30-Feb 2: Golden Girl Women's Boxing Championships (Sweden)
FEBRUARY
Feb 1: Irish U18 Championships (National Stadium)
Feb 3-Feb 14: Asian & Oceania Olympic Qualifying tournament (China)
Feb 4-6: Antrim 12s Championship BG 0-7
Feb 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29: Irish Open Senior Cadet Championships (National Stadium)
Feb 18-20: Ulster Elite Championship prelims (Dockers)
Feb 20-29: African Olympic Qualifying tournament (Senegal)
Feb 25: Ulster Elite Championship finals (Ulster Hall)
MARCH
Mar 3-5: County Antrim BG456 National Qualifiers
Mar 5-9: Gee Bee Tournament (Finland)
Mar 6-7, 13-14: IATBA Championships (National Stadium)
Mar 9, 20-21, 28-29: Irish Boy/Girl 4 Junior 1 & 2 Championships (National Stadium)
Mar 13-23: European Olympic Qualifying tournament (Copperbox Arena, London)
Mar 26-Apr 3: American Olympic Qualifying tournament (Argentina)
Mar 31-Apr 2: County Antrim BG123 National Qualifiers
APRIL
Apr 1-2: County Antrim BG123 National Qualifiers
Apr 2-4: Montana Belts Tournament (Paris)
Apr 3-4: Irish Boy/Girl 4 Junior 1 & 2 Championships (National Stadium)
Apr 13-18: Irish Boys/Girls 1,2 & 3 Championships (National Stadium)
Apr 27: Irish Boys/Girls Junior Cadet Championships
MAY
May 1-2: Irish Girls 2 & 3, National Boys 2 & 3, Girl Junior Cadet Championships (National Stadium)
May 8-9, 15-16, 22-23: Irish Girls 3, 5 & 5 & Boy & Girl Junior Cadet Championships (National Stadium)
May 13-24: World Olympic Qualifying tournament (Paris)
May 29: Home international (National Stadium)
JUNE
June 5: Home international (National Stadium)
June 10-14: Black Forest Cup (Germany)
June 19: Home international (National Stadium)
June 26-28: Monkstown International Box Cup (Dublin)
JULY
Jul 6, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31: Irish U22 Championships (National Stadium)
July 24-Aug 9: Olympic Games (Tokyo)
AUGUST
Aug 7: Home international (National Stadium)
Aug 21: Home international (National Stadium)
SEPTEMBER
Sep 10-14: Elite multi-nations tournament (Dublin venue)
Sep 18: Home international (National Stadium)
Sep 25-27: Celtic Box Cup (Dungarvan)
Sep 25-Oct 4: EUBC European U22 Boxing Championships (Italy)
OCTOBER
Oct 1-4: Smithfield Box Cup
Oct 4: Annual convention (Ringside Club)
Oct 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30: Irish Senior Championships (National Stadium)
NOVEMBER
Nov 13-14, 16-18, 20: Irish Elite Competition (National Stadium)
Nov 23, 27-28: Irish Novice Championships (National Stadium)
DECEMBER
Dec 4-5, 11-12: Irish Novice Championships (National Stadium)
* All fixtures subject to change
