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Ennis boxers prepare for Munster finals


THREE absorbing contests, one at welterweight, one at light middleweight and for the first time in 10 years, a heavyweight bill-topper of rare proportions were the highlights of last Wednesday night’s tournament in the Ennis Boxing Club’s premises.

There were 11 contests and all of the boxers were endeavouring to hone their punching skills in the run-up to next Sunday’s provincial finals in Westport and Watergrasshill in Cork.
The contest at welterweight (66kg) between former Ennis southpaw Jim Keenan, who now boxes out of Our Lady of Lourdes Club in Limerick, and two-times Irish champion Mike Ward from Tuam was enough to fill any boxing arena in the country.
Ward was simply superb, working behind his accurate left jab and frequently manoeuvring Keenan onto his piston-like right-hand punches. Keenan was brave in his search for an opening for his favoured right hook and to be fair he found his mark with regularity but the early lead that Ward had built up seemed unassailable and the 22-17 result in his favour was a fair reflection of both fighters’ abilities.
Light middleweight (70kg) Keelan Sexton, a master of the body punches, used the ring well, frequently turning his opponent Jonathan Ward from Tuam and setting him up for the big left hooks that have become a hallmark of his fight plan. Sexton, who will defend his Irish titles at the end of April, looks good but will be anxious to embellish the 15-7 winning score in the coming weeks.
Cousins John and Brian McDonagh came through their respective bouts with something to spare, with John coming through by the narrowest of margins on a 7-6 scoreline and Brian winning easily against Tuam’s David Ward.
Former Munster champion Jamie Keane, improving with each outing this season, took a prestigious scalp in Galway’s Ricky Mongan, twice-crowned Connacht champion, in a great contest.
The result hinged on the last contest of the evening between two heavyweights, Ennis fighter Mark Fitzgerald, perhaps better known for his hurling prowess and for his white collar boxing exploits from last year, and Limerick’s William McNamara, also a hurler of distinction.
This was a fine contest with referee Sean Carrig rarely having to come between the protagonists with huge left and right handers punctuating a tough rugged battle. A delighted Fitzgerald won the match for the Ennis side.
Three Ennis boxers competed in the undercard of the Limerick championships in the St Francis BC clubhouse last Sunday and all three enhanced their boxing record card with good wins.
James Galbraith stopped an outclassed Dave Barrett in the first round, while Gary O’Grady, a boxer of the year last season, beat Conor Madden from the host club 12-5.
Lee Sherlock, anxiously watching his 52kg weight limit as the Munster Championships loom large; made all the running in his 13-4 demolition of old adversary Steve Casey from Rathkeale.
He looks sharp and busy and it will be a major surprise if he does not book his ticket to the Irish championships scheduled for the National Stadium on March 5 and 6.

Ladies boxing
KILFENORA’S Irish champions Kayleigh McCormack and cousin Caoilinn boxed in the Connacht Open Championships recently and both won their respective bouts. Sally Carrig from Ennis lost out, having suffered a damaged metacarpal early on in her battle with Emily Shaw from Westport. She now has a race against time as she prepares for the Munsters.

Results
48kg boys: Michael Galbraith (Ennis) bt Jason Ward (Tuam); Seamus Boyle (Ennis) lost to Jack Ward (Tuam).
52kg boys: Brian McDonagh (Ennis) bt David Ward (Tuam); Jamie Keane (Ennis) bt Ricky Mongan (Olympic).
70kg boy 3: Keelan Sexton (Ennis) bt Jonathan Ward (Tuam);
48kg boy 4: Patrick Flynn (Ennis) lost to Jonathan Creed (Tuam).
66kg youth 1: Jim Keenan (OLOL Lk) lost to Mike Ward (Tuam).
57kg boy 4: Dara Lomax (Ennis) lost to Terry Harris (OLOL Lk).
60kg youth 1: John McDonagh (Ennis) bt Geoff Mulqueen (OLOL).
70kg int: Martin Keenan (Ennis) lost to Niall McDermott (OLOL).
Heavyweight: Mark Fitzgerald (Ennis) bt William McNamara (OLOL).

Munster championships
THE following will compete in the Munster championships next week:
Boy 4
42kg: Ross McCarthy (Ennis)
44kg: Shane Lomax (Ennis)
46kg: Martin Darcy (Ennis)
48kg: Seamus Nugent (Ennis)
50kg: Patrick Flynn (Ennis)
54kg: Simon McDonagh (Ennis)
57kg: John McDonagh (Ennis)
60kg: James Gailbraith (Ennis) 
60kg: John McCormack (Kilfenora)
63kg: Dylan Costelloe (Ennis)
66kg: Lee Brady (Ennis).
Girl 4
52kg: Caoilinn McCormack (Kilfenora)
63kg: Sally Carrig (Ennis).
Youth 1
50kg: Kieran McDonagh (Ennis)
52kg: Lee Sherlock (Ennis)
54kg: Robert Cassidy (Kilfenora)
63kg: Daragh Lomax (Ennis).
Youth 2
50kg: Gary O’Grady (Ennis)
57kg: Cody Mulcaire (Kilfenora)
70kg: Wayne Danagher (Ennis)
80kg: Martin Keenan (Ennis).
Ladies youth 2
57kg: Kayleigh McCormack (Kilfenora)
63kg: Anntoinette Keane (Ennis).

 

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