Boxers chase national glory in Dublin

THE semi-finals and finals of the Irish Youths and Ladies Junior Championships, which will be boxed out in the National Stadium in Dublin on Friday and Saturday, will see five Clare boxers in contention for titles. Hopes are high that two of these could annex gold for their respective clubs.

The ladies, who have become a formidable force in the county, will form the vanguard in the quest for glory with Sally Carrig and Antoinette Keane from Ennis Boxing Club and cousins Kayleigh and Caoilinn McCormack from Kilfenora leading the charge.
Reigning Irish champions Antoinette and Kayleigh, each of whom are on the Irish elite panel for the forthcoming home internationals, will box on Friday in their respective semi-finals. Sally and Caoilinn, both excelling in their semis last weekend, will see action at 1pm and 2.45pm respectively on Saturday against Ciara Loftus (Ardagh, Mayo) and Helen Carty (Paulstown, Kilkenny).
Lee Sherlock from the Ennis club, a silver medalist in last year’s championships, is hopeful of going one better this year. He goes into action at 5pm on Saturday seeking to embellish his wonderful progress from last week’s quarter and semi-finals.
He limited reigning champion Paudge McDonagh from the St Francis Club in Limerick to a single point over three tempestuous rounds in the quarter-final, using his speed and dexterity to great effect as his southpaw right registered the precious points.
His semi-final battle with Patrick Bradley from the Errigal Club in Derry provided more by way of open boxing in this battle of southpaws. Bradley was always willing to come forward and was a useful counter puncher like Sherlock. The bout was a battle of wits, finishing level at the final bell and after two countbacks from the computer, the judges called it 4-1 for the elated Ennis fighter.
He now faces John Stokes from the Mulhuddart in Dublin in this, the biggest battle of his career and coach Sean Carrig is quietly confident of victory for his charge.
The St Flannan’s College pupil talks a great fight about his prospects having prepared diligently for this one over the past four months.
He said “I feel good, even though I injured my hand in the semi-final, but all will be well for the final and I am keeping my fingers crossed for the title”.
Ennis 86kg semi-finalist Martin Keenan is drawn against Gary Sweeney (All Stars Galway) in Friday’s semi-final, but is troubled by an acromio clavicular injury and is forced to concede a walkover to the Galway boxer.
Wild card call-up Wayne Danagher from the Ennis club could not make his stipulated 70kg weight at the scales on Friday last and was forced to move up to the 75kg division. Although he fought his heart out, he found the concession of the extra weight formidable and prohibitive.
He led through the early part of the bout with Sean Collins of the Smithfield club in Dublin’s inner city, but tired palpably in the final round and lost out narrowly in the end.