DJ people of the year awards - Michael Glackin is Sports Volunteer of the Year

The local boxing coach was honoured with the Sports Volunteer of the Year Award during the major event at the Everglades last week.

Michael first got involved in boxing over 40 years ago, his first club was Fairview Amateur Boxing Club.

His first Irish Champion was his son John.

Over the past 40 years he has continued to mentor countless young people and work tirelessly to promote the Derry boxing scene locally and nationally.

Known for his time with Rosemount ABC and, more recently, St Mary’s ABC in Creggan, Michael has been the driving force behind many of the biggest names in amateur boxing in the city including Sean McGlinchey, Marc McLaughlin and Blain Dobbins.

Over the years Michael has trained Irish Junior and Senior Champions. He has taken boxers on trips to England and as far as America, all while holding down a full time job and raising a family with his wife Ethna.

On his nomination form Michael was described as someone who wanted to ensure that the young people of Derry had the help they needed to better themselves while never asking for anything in return.

Michael is now 79 and still runs a boxing club five nights every week from the Village Inn. He is also training a second grandson to try and win an Irish title.

He was given a huge round of applause when receiving his award on the night.