John Cooney, a 28-year-old super-featherweight boxer from Galway, tragically passed away on Saturday, February 8, just a week after defending his Celtic title. Despite immediate surgery following his bout, he remained critically ill. His manager, Mark Dunlop, confirmed the death, and a book of condolences was opened in John's honor.
The family of an Irish boxer who tragically passed away on Saturday, February 8, are overwhelmed with grief. John Cooney , a super-featherweight boxer from Galway , died just a week after his bout against Nathan Howells, where he defended his Celtic title at the Ulster Hall in Belfast . Despite undergoing immediate surgery following the fight, John remained in a critical condition throughout the week. His manager, Mark Dunlop of MHD Promotions, sadly confirmed his death over the weekend.
A book of condolences opened on Monday for John, and his family attended to pay their respects to the 28-year-old athlete. Speaking to BBC News NI, John's aunt, Georgina Ivors, expressed the outpouring of support, stating, 'The people are just amazing and we're very touched.' She added that the family is 'just devastated' by John's passing, extending their gratitude to the staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. John's cousin, Julieanne Acciaressi, shared, 'He fought hard all week and they were fantastic.' John's manager, Mark Dunlop, emphasized that there is no blame to be placed on anyone for John's passing, stating that both John's family and himself do not blame anyone. He emotionally remarked, 'It is devastating, it's just surreal that we are coming here to pay our respects to a guy that was like a family member to me. Really we shouldn't be here mourning him, we should really be celebrating him.' He acknowledged the inherent dangers of boxing, stating, 'Every fighter knows the dangers but, like everything, no one thinks it's going to come to their door - if that makes sense. In a way we're all ignorant of the fact that it's never going to come to our door. I've been in involved in boxing for 40 years. I've never experienced anything like this. I've never even come close to it. As much as it's a dangerous sport, the fatalities are rare - but they're there. It's no worse than horse racing or motorcycle racing. These are dangerous sports. You have to commend every athlete who steps in the ring.' Concluding his thoughts on John, Mark said, 'He deserves all this attention that he's getting. He was a great character, charisma. He had a big future.
Irish Boxer John Cooney Celtic Title Death Boxing Galway Belfast
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