FAMED boxing coach Joe Gallagher has been honoured with a civic reception from Sligo County Council for his services to the sport.
Gallagher grew up in a council estate in Wythenshawe, Manchester, but both his parents hail from Sligo, where he regularly visits family.
Following a stellar 2015, in which his charges Anthony Crolla and Liam Smith were crowned as world champions, Gallagher was handed the prestigious Ring Magazine 'Trainer of the Year Award' last month.
The award made him the first British-born trainer to be honoured with the accolade, with Welshman and former winner Enzo Calzaghe having been born in Italy, and the achievement didn’t go unnoticed in his ancestral hometown.
Gallagher, whose gym is in Bolton, Tweeted he was “proud” to receive the civic reception, which was hosted by Mayor Thomas Healy, while he also paid a visit to St Joseph's ABC & Sligo City Boxing club.
Mayor Thomas Healy hosted a Reception to honour @gallaghersgym Ring Magazine & British Boxing Trainer 2015 tonight https://t.co/a1Q3cV7u6f
— Sligo County Council (@sligococo) February 18, 2016
Good to see everyone down at St Joseph's ABC & Sligo City Boxing club tonight #grassroots #nextgeneration @sligococo pic.twitter.com/wC1rwHtavZ — Joe Gallagher (@gallaghersgym) February 18, 2016
Gallagher also trains Bury fighter Scott Quigg, who will take on Belfast’s Carl Frampton in an IBF and WBA Super Bantamweight title bout at Manchester Arena on Saturday, February 27.
