Brian Wall and Patrick O’Brien were honoured at a Civic Reception in Tralee, Kerry this afternoon…….

Brian Wall and coach Patrick O'Brien at today's Civic Reception

Talented middleweight prospect Brian Wall and his coach Patrick O’Brien were honoured at a Civic Reception at Council Chambers in Aras an Chontae, Tralee today.

Sixteen-year-old Wall, who boxes out of the Cashen Vale BC in Ballybunion, Kerry, added to his impressive CV after claiming a magnificent silver medal for Ireland at the 16th European Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria in June.

The three-time Irish champion beat Leonard Nicolae (Romania), Mustafa Atmaca (Turkey) and Zsolt Kovacs (Hungary) en route to the middleweight final in the Bulgarian capital, but he had to retire injured in the first round of his 75kg decider with Russia’s Magomed Magomedov.

Including Wall, who plays Gaelic football with the Kerry Development squad, Cashen Vale coach Patrick O’Brien has helped steer eight boxers from the club to Irish titles.

Club President Mick Finnucane and Secretary Patrick Fitzmaurice attended today’s Civic Reception, along with IABA Director of Boxing Dominic O’Rourke.

Finnucane, a great boxing stalwart, has the distinction of lining out for Kerry in the only All-Ireland Senior Gaelic Football final to be played outside of Ireland.

Brian Wall

In 1947, Kerry met Cavan in the All-Ireland decider at the Polo Grounds in New York. Finnucane was one of the stars of the 1947 side, but his talents weren’t enough to stop Cavan claiming an historic title in Manhattan.

The Lord Mayor of Kerry, Terry O’Brien, presented Wall and O’Brien with certificates in recognition of their achievements this afternoon.

Speaking after today’s Civic Reception, Patrick Fitzmaurice said that Wall’s win in Sofia was a first for the club.

“He’s a great prospect and the club are trying to nurture him along. He is the first boxer from Kerry to win a silver medal at the European Championships and he’s a very talented young man. It was wonderful to see Brian and Patrick (O’Brien) being honoured at today’s Civic Reception.

“It’s a great honour for the club and we’re delighted with that.”

 Antrim ace Jason McKay also claimed silver for Ireland at the 2012 European Junior Championships in Sofia.