The late Denis Brassil Denis Brassil, Caherslee and formerly of Edward Street in Tralee, who was one of Ireland's champion boxers, passed away peacefully at home after a short illness on Wednesday, March 7th, 2007. Denis was the eldest son of the late John and Nora Brassil and brother to Noel, Sean, Breeda (all deceased) and the well-known Liam Brassil, Tralee. At a time when there was no money or celebrity status attached to sport, Denis was a dedicated sportsman. It was this dedication that led to his meteoric rise to prominence in the 1930s and 40s. Denis won no less than five Munster boxing titles and an Irish titles, as well as representing Ireland internationally. A pugilist of undoubted talent there was no finer exponent of the Marquis of Queensbury Rules in the country at the time. This was Denis's greatest memory of his boxing career and he often regaled the story of that memorable night to his family. Denis was so proud to wear the green singlet of Ireland in 1947 against Italy in Cork, in what is termed as one of the greatest bouts of boxing seen in the country. He lost a spilt decision vote to Italy's Ernesto Fermenti and a few months later Fermenti won the Olympic featherweight gold medal in London. This put's Denis's talent into proper perspective. When Denis finally hung up his gloves, he devoted his time to training young boxers and turned out many juvenile All-Ireland winners in the Raymond, Lehane and Powell brothers. Denis also found time to play football with the Keirns O'Rahillys Club and in 1947 he won a Tralee junior town championship medal. In 1971 Denis set up his bacon wholesale business in Caherslee, Tralee. This later expanded into the retail side in the 1980s. Denis was held in high esteem by his customers who also became his friends. He was an avid fan of the dog track, where at one stage he worked as a bookmaker with his brother Liam. Denis also regularly spent time at coursing meetings with his good friends Patsy Lynch, Dominic O'Brien and Ray Chute. Denis was the proud winner of the Kingdom Cup in 1982 and 2001. Above all Denis was a dedicated family man. He liked nothing better than recording his children's achievements in his famous 'scrapbook'. He was a quiet and unassuming gentleman who was well known for his sense of style and humour. At Denis's Requiem Mass on Friday, March 9 2007 at the Church of Our Lady and St Brendan, the congregation included many who had travelled long distances to pay their respects. Friends from the greyhound fraternity, boxing clubs and other sporting organisations gathered to bed farewell to one of Tralee's most talented sportsmen. Internment took place in Rath Cemetery. Denis will be sadly missed by his loving wife Maureen, daughters Martha, Helena, Denise, Maeve, Rachael and Melissa, son Eoin, granddaughters Aisling, Niamh and Ciara, twin grandsons Jack Denis and Charlie, brother Liam, sons in law, relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Kerryman 4 April 2007 Tweet

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