Ennis boxers dominate at county championships

The 46th Clare boxing championships took place in the Community Centre in Ennis last week, producing some exciting bouts fought with frantic enthusiasm as each boxer sought local domination and a ticket to the Munster championships in a two weeks’ time.
All three Clare clubs, Ennis, West Clare and Kilfenora, competed and the huge entry from the Ennis club prevailed, winning a lion’s share of the titles. This was not to diminish the determined efforts of the West Clare lads and the steely battlers from Kilfenora and it is hoped that provincial honours will embellish their enthusiasm when they travel to Cork and Waterford in the coming weeks.
The 60kg youths division was undoubtedly the most talked about and the most keenly contested division, with the ultimate winner, Michael Flynn from West Clare, having to battle all the way to the final bell against Tiernan McCormack from Kilfenora. McCormack had narrowly out-pointed the pre-championship favourite Pat Sherlock from the Ennis club in the semi-final and looked comfortable in the first round of his final with Flynn. But the taller West Clare fighter kept the fight at long range and he managed to pick off valuable points with his probing left jab to McCormack’s head and body.
Ennis boxers Lee Sherlock and Lee Brady won their titles in the 48kg and 63kg divisions and will both be fancied to add provincial honours to their record books.
Sherlock had to pull out all of the stops against a gritty Robert Cassidy from the Kilfenora club and had to endure a torrid first round before finding the range for his southpaw right jabs in the second and round three to wrap up his fourth Clare title in as many years.
Another Ennis prospect in his first year of championship was Brian McDonagh in the 48kg class and he jabbed and hooked his way to a classy performance against Jamie Molohan from West Clare.
Pat Flynn from West Clare, a brother of Michael, had it all to do against Ennis puncher Seamus Nugent, who took the fight to his opponent from the opening bell, but found the going a little rocky in the final minute as the stamina factor became an issue and he lost out on a split decision. Flynn was one of three brothers from the West Clare club who won titles in these championships.
The final bout of the evening was the 70kg clash between local boxer Daryl Sherlock and Kilfenora’s Joey Rouine and it turned out to be the fight of the championships, with both boxers battling bravely to the final bell. Sherlock’s earlier accuracy had him ahead after the first round but Rouine, who is son of former Clare footballer Joe Joe, kept the Ennis fighter on the back foot with relentless attacks and found his mark with solid right hands in the third round for a great victory.
The Munster championships for boys’ 14-16 will be held in Tallow (Waterford) on Sunday and the boys’ 11-13 competition will take place in Dungarvan a fortnight later, with the Irish Championships on the following week.