Sexton chasing three in a row

Boxer of the year, Keelan Sexton kick-started his assault for the elusive three-in-a-row of national titles in the 70kg class at the Munster Juvenile Championships at Mitchelstown last Saturday and Sunday.

The teak-tough Ennis fighter, who packs a powerful left hook, saw off the challenge of Waterford’s Peter Collins (St Paul’s) in three one-sided rounds in his semi-final to set up a final showdown with James Coleman from Bantry for next Sunday.
He will not be found wanting in this one and Coleman’s consuming aggression will actually suit Sexton’s bob and weave style of setting opponents up for his left and right hooks.
The Boy 1 36kg division saw three Clare entries battle for supremacy with Jim McDonagh getting the better of Colm O’Reilly from Deise Boxing Club on a scoreline of 6-4 while Kilfenora’s Gary Ruane boxed well to outpoint Cork’s Evan Coughlan from Riverstown Boxing Club over three enthralling rounds.
Ruane now faces Paddy Donovan from the OLOL club in Limerick in the semi-final next Saturday for a place in the final in only his first year in boxing.
Ennis boxers Conor Doyle (42kg) and Luke Carmody (52kg) met with mixed fortunes in their respective semi-finals, with Doyle emphasising his early season form with a good victory against Kevin Hickey from the St Colman’s club in Cork to qualify for a final spot against Tommy Hyde (Fr Horgan’s, Cork) whose dad, Gary looks after the interests of the Cuban boxers, who are taking the professional game by storm.
Luke Carmody lost out narrowly to Martin Mongan (OLOL) on a 6-4 scoreline. Having dominated the earlier rounds, he tired in the third and the stronger Limerick fighter nudged ahead for victory.
Paul Flynn looked comfortable in the 36kg Boy 2 semi-final against Limerick’s Roger O’Donoghue but like his clubmate, tired ominously in the final round and made his exit on the run-in.
The ladies have been making all the headlines in the early part of the boxing season with Sally Carrig and Kayleigh McCormack winning Irish titles in the Youths Championships in February.
In the 60kg, contender Tara Dowling (Ennis) and 50kg Girl 3 Shannon Murrihy (Kilfenora) will be crowned Munster champions on Sunday and will contest the national championships during Easter Week in the National Stadium.
It is quite conceivable that last year’s national runner-up, Mike McDonagh, might well capture the 46kg Boy 2 title on Sunday when he takes on Trevor Ball (Trojan Boxing Club) in the final.
McDonagh was impressive in his demolition of Rhys Moran from St Paul’s Boxing Club in their semi-final on Sunday last and is keen to emulate his form of last year and perhaps go one better in the Irish finals at Easter.
The 50kg Boy 3 class may be a difficult one but Ennis boxer Jamie Keane is having his best season to date and is confident of lifting the title when he takes on Tom Waring from the Fr Horgan’s club in Sunday’s final.
Jamie won an Irish handball title last Friday and played in the U-14 Clare hurling trials on Sunday, making it a busy week for the talented all-rounder, who plays his hurling with Sixmilebridge.
Brian McDonagh will anchor the Ennis team on Sunday when he takes on Robbie Boland from Clonmel in the 52kg Boy 2 final and coaches Danny Fitzpatrick and Sean Carrig are quietly confident that he will do the business in his second year in boxing.
Kilfenora’s Darren Ruane will also be in action in the 50kg semi-finals next Saturday and might well clash with Jamie Keane for an all-Clare final in this division.