Tributes have been paid to "the voice of Irish boxing" Peter O'Donnell from Raphoe, Co Donegal, who has passed away following a short illness.
Mr O’Donnell, who was 75 years old, managed Irish boxers from club level to national teams and his distinctive voice called many to the ring across the country.
As recently as last July, Mr O’Donnell was the joint Team Ireland Manager for the Monkstown International Box Cup.
IABA President Anto Donnelly said Peter O’Donnell was the epitome of Irish Boxing - "incredibly dedicated, devoted to his sport at club, county, provincial and national level".
Mr Donnelly described him as a kind gentleman "who gave decades of service to the sport he loved so well, with a vast store of knowledge of boxing lore".
"His voice was the voice of Irish boxing, and he was the master of ceremonies during thousands of bouts across the decades.
"He will be terribly missed - on behalf of Central Council and the Irish Boxing family, I extended my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace".
Peter O’Donnell was the Irish Team Manager for the European Junior Boxing Championships in Sarajevo last year where Ireland won seven medals.
He previously led Team Ireland at the AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Belgrade in 2021 and was previously team manager at the European Elite Championships in Bulgaria in 2015.
He gave decades of service to boxing, as a founder member of the Raphoe Boxing Club, an elected official of Donegal County Board, where he was the serving president, and of Ulster Boxing Council.
'A Donegal, Ulster and Irish boxing legend'
The Ulster Boxing Council said: "In every sense of the word Peter O Donnell was a Donegal, Ulster and Irish boxing legend".
They said Mr O'Donell was known for his infectious personality, quiet demeanour, invaluable boxing knowledge but most distinctly his famous voice.
"There's not a boxer in the country who doesn’t know and love Peter....His voice was iconic throughout the country [and he] championed each boxer whether they won or lost."
In a statement, Raphoe Boxing Club said their founder and club president passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of yesterday morning surrounded by his loving family, after a short illness.
Raphoe BC said Peter O’Donnell who travelled the world for his love of boxing could be heard conducting master of ceremonies duties at local, Ulster and Dublin championships.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association [IABA] said the Irish boxing family was "mourning the passing of the voice of Irish boxing".
The IABA said his "dulcet and distinctive tones" called tens of thousands of boxers to the ring in the home of Irish boxing and unveiled many thousands as IABA champions.
Peter O’Donnell’s many years in boxing spanned many horizons as a coach, official, officer and team manager.
The Team Ireland’s European U15 Championship team, currently contesting in Budva, Montenegro have also expressed their condolences.
Team Manager Stephen Connolly said Peter O’Donnell was a gentleman to all who knew him.
"The Team, including boxers, coaches and my co-Team Manager Bridget Scott, extend our condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace."
Beijing Olympian and silver medalist Kenneth Egan said "Peter was a boxing man to the core".
"He loved the National Stadium and will be part of its history for many years."
Peter O’Donnell’s funeral mass will take place on Wednesday in Raphoe, Co Donegal.
