“We still have a long way to go” says Committee Chairman.

The campaign to erect a statue in honour of Deirdre Gogarty, Ireland’s first female professional boxer and World Champion, in her home town of Drogheda is gathering pace.

The Deirdre Gogarty Legacy Committee has commissioned the award-wining sculptor Laury Dizengremel, who also created the statues of Olympic boxer Tony “Socks” Byrne and World Handball Champion Joey Maher which stand on the South bank of the Boyne at Marsh Road.

The committee has so far raised €16,000 which is enough to get Laury Dizengremel started on the project but they have a way to go yet.

Laury has recently visited Deirdre Gogarty and stayed in her home in Louisiana for a couple days during which time they discussed their ideas for and took photos to help them decide on a pose for the statue.

Gabrielle Marvin, one of Deirdre’s young protégées in the High School Gymnasium in Converse, Louisiana was selected to model for the photos for which she wore the kit that Deirdre wore the night she became World Champion.

Gabrielle won the National Youth Olympics in 2018 and Deirdre asked for her to wear the kit and pose because she is close to the weight and height of Deirdre when she won the World title in 1997.

Deirdre hopes that Katie Taylor’s homecoming fight in Ireland gets announced for May and she will then be intending to come home to Drogheda to help with fundraising and attend the fight. 

“Although this is a huge step in the right direction and we are truly, truly grateful for the donations given by all donors, we still have a long way to go” said Committee Chairman, Ciaran Mc Ivor.

“If anyone wants to donate through go fund me the link is here: Go Fund Me”