New Year bash

THE annual New Year’s boxing match between Ennis and Galway’s Olympic Boxing Academy (OBA) at the community centre in Ennis last Saturday produced the usual mix of sparkling action, precision punching and sometimes frenetic toe-to-toe slugging as if each combatant was looking to lay down a marker for the year ahead.
The result came right down to the last contest of the evening with Ennis fighter, John McDonagh boxing conservatively against John Donovan from a first-round 5-4 lead to maintain the precious lead right to the final bell for a smashing victory.
Victory seemed a remote possibility for the Ennis side when they fell behind 5-0 in a dismal start that saw two of their ultra-reliable performers, Davy Keenan and Luke Carmody, lose to Francie Barrett and Brian McGinley respectively. When coaches Danny Fitzpatrick and Seán Carrig took a time out to urge their charges, the response was emphatic from the boxers.
Jim McDonagh, younger brother of the aforementioned John, pulled out all the stops to outpoint and dominate Jonathan Ward in a great battle and victories for Conor Doyle, Cathal Darcy and Jamie Keane left just a solitary point between the sides. Séamie Nugent (42kg) fought his heart out to maintain the Ennis momentum but surrendered the initiative in the final minute of his superb battle with Irish champion, Bim Cleary and the final bell was music to his ears.
There were six bouts left at this stage and the Ennis coaches were apprehensive as three ‘bankers’ gloved for action. Simon McDonagh, Lee Brady and Lee Sherlock could certainly be relied on to regain parity for the club. McDonagh, comfortable in the new 50kg class, spurned the early attempts of Mike Delaney and ultimately annihilated the Galway boxer with big right hooks to the head and body.
Lee Brady, making a comeback after injury, was not afforded the same capitulation by a resilient Shane Ward, veteran of many provincial and national championships and Brady had to absorb some heavy jabs before landing his own right hands in an absorbing battle which Brady was delighted to win by the narrowest of margins.
Welterweight Wayne Danagher and 52kg boy Brian McDonagh embellished their records with good victories over Chris Sherlock and Frankie Donovan respectively and Danagher, in particular, stepped up in class with solid combinations and effective power punching against two-time Irish champion and all-rounder, Sherlock.
Victory was already wrapped up for the Ennis boxers when Lee Sherlock took to the ring against old adversary, Tom McDonagh, and in the best bout of the evening, Sherlock had to settle for a split verdict against him. Nobody was complaining though as fortunes fluctuated throughout and even the Galway boxer was surprised when his hand was raised.
It was announced after the tournament that Lee will travel to London in February to guest on a Connacht selection against an English team and this is a signal honour for the diligent Ennis youngster who will be following in the footsteps of the likes of Brian Crowley, Trevor Markham and Trevor’s dad, Ollie.
Action will resume this Saturday against a Limerick selection made up mainly from the Rathkeale club and preparations are in place for the visit of a Dublin selection in February which will be drawn for five of the stronger clubs in the capital.
Double Irish champion, Keelan Sexton, now boxing out of the Ennis club, will make his international debut on January 20 in Swansea and will then be free to compete in all local tournaments through the following months.

The results from last Saturday’s tournament are (Ennis names first)
Boy 1 (29kg) Mark Ward lost to Paddy Delaney
Michael Doherty lost to Edward Barrett
B McDonagh lost to Michael B Delaney
(33kg) Davy Keenan lost to Francie Barrett
(42kg) Luke Carmody lost to Brian McGinley
(33kg) Cathal Darcy beat Martin Delaney

Boy 2 (33kg) Jim McDonagh beat Jonathan Ward
(36kg) Conor Doyle beat Jamie Morgan
(44kg) Mike McDonagh beat Michael G Ward
(36kg) Paul Flynn lost to Ryan Ward
(42kg) Seamus Nugent lost to Bim Cleary

Boy 3 (42 kg) Jamie Keane beat Oisín O’Mahony
(52kg) Brian McDonagh beat Frankie Donovan

Boy 4 (50kg) Simon McDonagh beat Mike Delaney
(57kg) John McDonagh beat John Donovan
(54kg) Lee Sherlock lost to Tom McDonagh
(63kg) Lee Brady Bt lost to Shane Ward

Welterweight Wayne Danagher beat Chris Sherlock.