Amazing memories of a world champion's visit to Mayo
Barry McGuigan and Gerry Coyle 'put em up' when the Clones Cyclone rolled into Geesala
It is 40 years since that memorable night when ‘Clones Cyclone’ Barry McGuigan blew into Geesala.
The appearance of the boxer, who was world champion at the time, was a considerable coup for a boxing club located in one of the most remote areas of Ireland.
Club founder Gerry Coyle convinced the featherweight champ to make the trek to Erris. While Barry rarely faltered in the ring he was floored by the weight of the Geesala welcome he received.
“The McGuigans, Barry, his late father Pat and late brother Dermot were absolute gentleman to deal with. Barry stayed on for hours signing autographs for everyone,” recalled Gerry.
“I met Barry a few times in the National Stadium when he was an amateur. We were only starting and didn’t really get to the Stadium until 1981 or 1982. And then this friend of mine knew Barry’s father,” Gerry explained.
Pat McGuigan was a talented singer and performed at a number of fundraisers for Geesala Boxing Club.
“I said to Pat when Barry is champion of the world we’ll bring him to Geesala, and he told me, ‘We will.’ That’s how it started off,” said Gerry.
Still, Gerry did not quite believe it until he saw it.
“I had a dream the night before that he wasn’t going to show up. There was no contract or anything like that, it was just word of mouth, and the agreement that we would meet them in Crossmolina at 5pm and bring them in,” he said.
Huge crowds were there to meet McGuigan.
“There were hundreds of kids and he signed so many autographs and posed for pictures. We had an old polaroid camera that people were using to take pictures,” said Gerry.
The festivities continued at the local hotel late into the night.
“He absolutely loved Geesala,” said Gerry.
The visit of a world champion did wonders for the club which has spawned scores of national champions. Incredibly, two of the young kids awe-struck by Barry that night became world champions. Gerry’s own son Henry went on to become a professional boxer and winner of the World Military Games while Donal Barrett won the World Police Games title.
“It was Barry who was doing the TV commentary the night Henry boxed at Madison Square Garden in New York,” said Gerry.
The Coyles and the McGuigans crossed paths many more times over the years.
“When Barry would meet people from Mayo he would always ask them, ‘Are you anywhere near Geesala, I know the Coyles,’” Gerry laughed.
Gerry’s recent social media post on the visit garnered a huge response, with McGuigan also getting in touch.
“The amount of love and genuine warmth both Dad, Dermot and I got from the Coyle family and the people of Geesala was phenomenal and I’ll never forget it,” Barry commented.
“It really was a night to remember,” said Gerry.
The Erris councillor paused to recall the incredible people who made the night a success but have since passed away.
“Sadly so many wonderful people who were there on the night are no longer with us, at the risk of missing someone these men were a special part of the night - Patrick Barrett, Dermot Heneghan, Paddy Carey, PJ Coyle, Myles Mangan, Paddy Joe Mangan, Frank Brogan, Martin Goonan, Eamon Shevlin and Michael Donnelly and Brendan Conway my nephew, who many will know was my biggest supporter when I dreamt up the idea of bringing Barry to Geesala. Even the wonderful photographer Henry Wills is no longer with with us. Special credit has to go to the late Paddy Carey who helped orchestrate the night,” said Gerry.
He also heaped praise on Fr Francis Judge.
“Fr Judge had a huge influence on Geesala Boxing Club. The club was in an old hall which was located where the playground is now and he was instrumental in getting the Community Centre for the village where the boxing club still remains. Fr Judge went on to be the treasurer of the club. He played a huge role in having Barry McGuigan in Geesala, his support was instrumental and will never be forgotten. Still a strong community man in any parish he’s in!”
