Have you ever wondered which engineering discipline is the best?  Well at UCD it is about to be settled, as this November 22 marks the exciting debut of the inaugural ‘UCD Engineering Charity Fight Night’. 

All five disciplines of engineering

This event will see students across all five disciplines of engineering go head to head in the ring in a three-round boxing match. Here students will engage in some friendly competition to secure a win for their discipline while raising some much needed money for charity along the way!  

Over the past few weeks, former Irish Olympian and professional boxer, Cathal O’Grady of the White Collar Boxing Club in Harold's Cross, has been putting 30 engineering students through their paces as they undergo an intensive six-week programme of boxing training. 

Under Cathals guidance, students with no prior boxing experience have volunteered to partake in a training programme where they will prepare to fight by learning fundamental sparring techniques and build their endurance. 

After six weeks, our volunteer fighters will have the opportunity to show off their new skills as they go head to head with one another in a series of 15 consecutive boxing matches all while being cheered on by an audience of their engineering peers. 

The event has created huge excitement (as well as some healthy rivalry) among the UCD engineers and will take place in the Well on St Stephen's Green, making it a night not to miss! 

The event has been proudly organised by the UCD Civil and Structural Engineering Society in collaboration with the UCD Engineering with all proceeds going towards Pieta House. 

Pieta House is an Irish charity that offers free life saving supports to those experiencing suicidal thoughts and bereavement and has helped over 70,000 people since its formation in 2006. 

This is a cause that resonates deeply with many students who have been affected by suicide in their own lives, with one of our volunteer fighters compelled to take part after tragically losing a friend to suicide this year. 

"I am now doing this fight for him. For anybody reading this, make sure you take some time to spend with your friend and show them you’re there for them. Don’t even take your time for granted."

Pieta House receives 80% of its funding from the public, making fundraising events such as this a vital source of raising both funds and awareness for the important work being done at Pieta. 

Each fighter is currently raising money for the event which can be reached at https://www.idonate.ie/event/ucdfightnight.