Another Chapter
By Neil McDaid

March 19, Holyoke Ma. For the past 55 years this small city located some 95 miles west of Boston has hosted the second largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the nation, second only to the parade in New York City.

Participants of note who have attended this parade through the years included former President John F. Kennedy, then Senator, in 1958 along with a long list of U.S. Senators and Congressmen; two former Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives; Governors of several states; actors Pat O'Brien, Maureen O'Hara and Robert Stack; authors Frank McCourt, Neil Sheehan, Tom Clancy; Cardinal Cushing, several Bishops and religious leaders; astronauts; the list goes on.

On this cold and windy Sunday morning I ventured to Holyoke to catch up with the leader of Ireland’s Sinn Fein political party, Gerry Adams. This was his last official engagement on his 2006 US visit, a visit that will surely feature in another chapter in the storied life of this significant figure in Northern Irish politics and Ireland’s republican struggle.

As the marching bands gathered in front of the local K-Mart store and the floats got in gear to make the 2-½ mile journey down the parade route a few photographers, myself included, scanned the area for Mr. Adams. He seemed nowhere to be found. I had to ask myself could it possible be he was once again detained. To understand my concern you would have to have followed the events leading up to this Sunday morning.

It has been well documented in the media over the past few years the issues regarding the US government’s resistance in granting Gerry Adams a travel visa to the US. There has also been the issue of him being barred from attending any fundraising events while in the US.

Gerry Adams arrived to the US early the week of the 13th; he attended several events the New York, which included a speech at St. John's University. From there he went on to meet with Grant Lally, President of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, where he promised to raise this issue of emigration reform with senior Congressional and Senate leaders; making it a priority matter while in Washington.

Problems began for Adams once in Washington where his party was forced to return funds that were made at a Friends of Sinn Fein gala breakfast simply because he was in attendance. On St. Patrick’s Day Gerry attended a breakfast in the presence of President Bush at the White House where the President acknowledged Gerry on his efforts with the peace process.

From there Mr. Adams, accompanied by his long time aid Richard McAuley and Sinn Fein’s North American representative Rita O’Hare, made his way to Washington’s Dulles Airport to catch a plane to Buffalo, New York. Gerry Adams had been scheduled to address a meeting hosted by U.S. Rep Brian Higgins that same evening.

Problems arose for Adams and McAuley during the TSA security screening. What was to be a 30-minute wait to be screened turned into an hour without explanation! Both men are on the TSA “watch list”, which they have been for some years, but screening should have been somewhat routine, as their travel plans had been made available to the US State Department prior to their departure from Ireland. Subsequently, they were subjected to body searches and had their personal belongs, along with their passports, taken from them for further screening.

They were delayed for several hours missing any chance to attend the Buffalo function. Their colleague, Rita O’ Hare, was not detained or delayed in her screening. The fact that these same men had just come from attending breakfast with the US President where security screening would be a maximum priority also added to the mystery.

Gerry Adams was on the “watch list” because of his interment, without trial, on the Maidstone Prison Ship and in Long Kesh during the 1970s. Gerry documented these chapters of his life in a book, Cage Eleven.
McAuley was convicted in the 1970s for Irish Republican Army activities, mainly the possession of a rifle.







To avoid further possible delays with airport security, Adams and McAuley opted to take the train from Washington to Boston the following day, Saturday, which took some six and a half hours versus the one and a half hour flight under normal circumstances.

So, here we are back in Holyoke, in the cold of western Massachusetts, and from amongst the floats and bands appears Gerry Adams sporting a pair of ear muffs, a cap and long green coat and gloves. He had a few more white hairs on the beard since I saw him last. An extended hand greeted me as I approached him, with a “how’s it going? Hope all’s well,” like we have known each other all our lives, yet I have only meet the man a few times in passing.

Setting out on the parade route Gerry is accompanied by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Rita O’Hare and Richard McAuley. They will walk about 200 yards behind Irish Consol General David Barry, and Ma. Attorney General Tom Reilly.

Curious to see the reception that Gerry Adams would receive at the well-attended Holyoke parade, I decided to tag along the route. It was not very long before supporters appeared, stepping from the crowd; many older, some visibly emotional. As they grasped for that outstretched hand, “Gerry, Gerry”, was sometimes as much as some could get out.

One person displayed a hand written sign “Welcome Gerry Adams, you are granted a full visa today in Holyoke.” Others made their way looking to get their picture taken with this figure of Ireland’s republican struggle. More just simply called out his name as he passed. In turn, Gerry tried to acknowledge everyone as he went down the route. With out question on this day at least Gerry Adams was among friends.

In the end we might never know the circumstance surrounding the situation at Dulles Airport. Some have already speculated that it was a result of statements made by Gerry Adams in reference to Mitchell Reiss regarding the peace process.

This past week further support has grown within the US government for the ongoing requests from Sinn Fein to have the names of their party officials, including that of Gerry Adams, removed from the “watch list.”
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, along with five New York Congressmen, added their support to have Adams removed from the list this week. I look forward to reading Gerry Adams account of this incident in another chapter of a future book.

Traveling lite

On the last day of what might be the worst trip to the United States for the leader of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams makes a visit to Holyoke Ma. Mr. Adams was here to march among friends in their St. Patrick’s parade. More images and report to follow…

Sweet Sixteen
By Neil McDaid

New York, NY - March 16, Madison Square Garden. Ireland’s John Duddy makes it sweet 16-0 and also claimed the vacant WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Champion title for his effort.

It was almost a year to the day, March 18, 2005, when “Ireland’s” John Duddy made his explosive debut on US national television fighting on the Kevin McBride vs. Kevin Monte card in Foxwoods carried live on ESPN. Although he came in with a perfect record of 8-0, Duddy took to the ring somewhat of an underdog. He would go up against a very promising up-and-coming, unbeaten Lenord Pierre who was 16-0. Within 1:23 of the first round the fight was over; Lenord was on the canvas out for the count. John Duddy had arrived.

Six fights later Duddy finds himself as the main feature in the famed Madison Square Garden. This would also be a step forward for John’s manager, Eddie McLoughlin, as he put together the first big event for his Irish Ropes Promotions.

The anticipation for this boxing card has been the entire buzz in boxing circles, within and beyond the Irish, since Eddie McLoughlin made mention of his goal to bring this show together in New York. Further testament of the interest was seen in the notables scattered throughout the audience. Fighters like Gerry Cooney, Emile Griffith, Shane Mosley, and “The Quiet Man” John Ruiz, along with our own Mickey Ward came to see Duddy. Actor Liam Neeson got the attention of the crowd as he posed for me with the Sam MaGuire Cup.

This was an atmosphere unlike any other. With all 5,600+ seats filled with what seemed to be all Irish fans singing and chanting “Du-ddy, Du-ddy, Du-ddy,” as they awaited the entrance of the man from Co. Derry. One could only imagine the feeling for this 26-year old.

Led in by the 28th Infantry Pipe Band, over from Donegal for the parade, the place erupted at the first sight of Duddy. Not to take away from anyone who had fought before him on the night, but this crowd was here to see John Duddy.

For those of you yet to see Duddy’s entrance to the ring, it can best be described as Ice Cold. There is no pomp or ceremony, there is little or no arm movement, just a deep stare toward the ring. Once in the ring John will make one or two darts around the canvas before standing in his corner starting down his opponent with Harry Keitt, his trainer, flanking him. One would have to have some symphony for his opponent, Shelby Pugwill, as the crowd jeered and booed when the ring announcer introduced him. On the other hand, cheers drowned the ring announcer out as he tried to announce John.




Seconds away, round one, a touch of gloves and it was on. Both boxers went at it throwing left hooks, both landing to the head. John then finds an opening with a left upper cut followed by one of those crushing right hooks to the body, then a quick left to the chest, followed with one hard shot to the temple. Shelby Pugwill, who came into this fight winning his last eight bouts, is on the canvas within 30 seconds of the bell and takes the full count, on one knee, from the referee. Trying to recover, Pugwill throws a couple of left jabs as he moves away from Duddy, one of which connects square on the forehead. It had little effect.

Duddy gets Pugwill against the ropes and lets loose with a barrage of shots to the body and head. In no time Pudwill is down again with his forehead on the canvas. After a second count he gets to his feet, but it would be short lived. He had nothing for John and he was again on the canvas for the third and final time. At 1:51 of the first round referee Wayne Kelly stops the fight. Shelby Pudwill takes the loss to give victory number 16 to John Duddy.

As the celebrations got underway in center ring, with the presentation of the champion’s belt, John took the opportunity to bring attention to the plight of the illegal Irish in the USA by pulling on a “Legalize the Irish” t-shirt and making sure every photographer in the place took his picture. Speaking with the press after the fight John said, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I was going to walk into Madison Square Garden and knock out a guy with 21 wins in the first round.” Duddy is expected to be in the ring again as soon as June. The venue is expected to be either Boston or New York or possibly somewhere in between.

Macklin Disappointed
Due to contract problems Matt Macklin never gloved-up. Chris Troupe, who Matt was supposed to meet, did not make the contract weight Wednesday. Continued debate regarding the weight brought an end to a fight. Macklin told me earlier in the day he was really looking forward to get into the ring at The Garden, “I am very excited to be here, I want the fans here in the states to see what I am made of.” Macklin also made mention of the Troupe weight issue but said he was not overly concerned. Many have questioned the decision of Macklin’s team to withdraw him from this great opportunity. Having seen Matt in action in Philadelphia last fall, I was one of many disappointed when the news broke of his withdrawal mid-show.


James Moore vs Jose Felix

In the three fights I have seen James Moore fight he continues to improve each time out. James went on to take the victory at the “Mayhem in Marshfield” last September after making a great recovery from a knockdown. We then saw James take care of Manji Conteh at the Park Plaza Castle in Boston back in November of last year, doing so while suffering from rib injury. James will credit his continuous improvement to his trainer, Harry Keitt, and the opportunity to have a frequent sparring partner in Irish Ropes stable mate Duddy.

For this card James was matched against Jose Felix fighting out of Savannah, GA with a record of 10-2-2 Moore took the first round feeling out his opponent, never getting into much danger and not landing anything really big. Moore turned on the heat in the second putting Felix onto the canvas twice. Continued pressure in the third saw Moore send Felix to the canvas for the last time. Referee Steve Smoger had seen enough and waived off the count ending a nice fight for the Arklow man bringing his record to 5-0.

James Clancy vs Mitch Rose

James Clancy was definitely in awe at the opportunity to fight at The Garden. James, a native of Ennis Co. Clare who now makes Boston his home, told me before the fight, “This is what it’s all for; the running on the road in the freezing rain and snow, slogging it out in the gym day after day, sparring until you can’t hold up your arms.”

James would take to the ring against one Mitch Rose, whose claim to fame is taking Eric “Butterbean” Esch by TKO in 1995.

Rose, with his “Mr. T” hairstyle, weighed in a few “Big Mac’s” shy of 270 pounds, some 20 pounds heavier than Clancy. Both fighters opened the first landing, at will, some heavy, hard blows. James seemed frustrated at times trying to get past the awkward mass of Rose. As the rounds moved forward Clancy found his mark putting Rose back onto the ropes. Rose tried to land a few over the top sledgehammer type blows to Clancy late in the forth to no avail. In the end, Clancy would take a unanimous decision and keep his perfect record intact advancing to 7 (1 KO). James laughed as he left the ring saying, “He was a tough, big fella”

Also of note on the Duddy under card was Bronx lightweight Maureen Shea (5-0) who all but annihilated a scrappy New Mexican fighter, LeAnne Villarreal (1-6-1)

When all was said and done, a great effort was put into this show by Irish Ropes who even added a touch of class by removing the slinky clad ring card girls and replaced them with smiling happy Irish dancers. The dancers also entertained the crowd at the break. Eddie and crew are already looking for the next venue. You can be sure wherever that will be the Irish fans will follow.

Paddy's Night at the Roxy

Boston Ma, Friday the 17th, the Roxy nightclub was the venue for ESPN Friday night fights. Despite changes on the card for the main event and several other match up’s the promoter made a great effort and pulled the show back together with some exciting action. Big night for the Irish, with Greelish and McCreedy taking their respective victories.. pictures and report to follow.