Ballina Boxing
Club began a new life in 1978 in the former mill warehouse
at Downhill Road, and this
was due mainly to the efforts of Eamonn Horkan and the late Msgr.
Paddy Gallagher in securing the building for the club. Training took
place on the first floor which had a small ring overlooked by a
viewing area and there was a weights-room on the next floor. Dave
Fleming, who
joined the club in 1983 and is currently the longest-serving
native of the town to serve as a
member of Ballina Boxing Club, became Chairman at the AGM and has
held that position since. Dave is also Director/Chairman of the company
involved in the
construction of the Dick Hearns Centre.
Dave has been a great
anchorman for Ballina Boxing
Club over many years, has helped guide its progress and supported
initiatives during good times and not so good. It is true to say that
Dave "went to great heights"
to ensure the club could continue to operate through stormy weather in the former gym on Downhill Road over
the years: fixing slippery loose
slates caused no problem
to Dave if there were a few ladders close by. Dave never asked for
praise for his work, nor is he interested in publicity: getting the job
done and not talking about it has been Dave's way from a young age
in all aspects of his life. Now
in retirement from Mayo County Council, Dave -- a long-time admirer of
the late Dick Hearns -- says he is most grateful to be part of this
latest
venture to honour the great man by having a new gymnasium named in his
honour and in bringing his story back to life
in his native town. "Every young lad in Ballina boxed when I was young
and I have seen great boxing shows in the town in my
time," says Dave, "but have heard the older people speak of the pride
they felt as Ballinamen to see their own Dick Hearns stand up to the best around
in his
day and to beat them. I have never seen Dick Hearns box, and I'm not
likely to see his equal coming from Mayo ever again, but it may
happen if we provide proper facilities for the youth and give them
encouragement and support. Ballina Boxing Club is a great club, always
was," says Dave, "and there will be an even brighter future after the
lights go on in the new gym."
Dave
lives with his wife Martina in Ballina. His inate knowledge of the
workings of engines and machines has surprised many down the years and
this was put to good use during his working life and also in helping
sort out problems for any who knew him. Dave enjoys watching boxing,
soccer and Gaelic Football and looks forward to Irish athletes
competing on the world stage at all sports. "I'll be a very happy man
the day the doors open in the Dick Hearns Centre and I hope it is used
by all Mayo athletes on their journeys to greatness! And next time
round, a Ballinaman who qualifies for the Summer Olympics won't be
unjustly denied an opportunity to compete for a gold medal as happened
to Ballina's Dick Hearns in 1936!" Dave adds.