Ulster boxing mourns loss of tireless worker

Steeped in boxing: Local boxing is mourning the passing of Sean Doran seen here (back row, fourth from left) with a group of young Canadian boxers who he brought to Breen’s Gym in Belfast recently

Boxing will be a poorer place with the passing of popular Keady coach Sean Doran. The funeral of the big Keady man was held yesterday after the 58-year-old builder lost his battle with a long-term illness.
Members of the Keady club formed a guard of honour at St Patrick’s chapel and tears were shed as the cortège halted for a moment of silent reflection outside his beloved boxing gym.
The churchyard where he was laid to rest is within sight of the St Patrick’s Street, Keady gym.
“We’ll have to do a good job now that he’s gone, he’ll be watching over us, we have his memory to live up to,” said Keady coach Chris
Fullerton.
“I’ve known him since I was a child, first as a boxer in the club and then when I moved on to coaching at the club.
“Sean was always there, as he was for everybody, we’ll all miss him greatly.”
Down the years, Sean trained dozens of fine young champions, Ulster and Irish.
His enthusiasm for the sport was boundless, his workrate for Keady and Ulster boxing second to none.
Despite battling with serious illness for the past number of years, Sean continued to drive the Keady club on.
Long hours were still spent at the gym and on the roads, travelling to championships, tournaments and international club events, ensuring that the young boxers of Keady had the opportunity to carve out promising careers in the sport.
Sean Duffy, currently representing Ulster at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India, is one of Sean Doran’s top young prospects.
Leading county Down referee/judge Paddy Devlin recalled good times with an old friend and paid tribute to the Keady coach.
“He lived for the boxing, he put his heart and soul into it and I hope his legacy lives on,” said the stalwart St John Bosco, Newry official.
“I’ve known Sean Doran for over 20 years and, in that time, he has worked so tirelessly for the Keady club.
“He produced many, many champions, many great competitors.
“He had Irish champions in the Duffy brothers, Brian and Sean, he had big Patrick Smyth and he was behind Marty Renaghan every step of the way in his brilliant amateur career.
“There were hundreds of kids who passed through the Keady gym and they’ll all remember Sean with great affection.
“He was that kind of man, a man who could guide you, drive you on to success and a man who you could have a laugh with, great craic. Many a laugh I had with him.
“It was plain to see at yesterday’s funeral how his passing has affected all who knew him. The chapel was packed, people were devastated.
“He’ll be sadly missed by all who knew him.”