Ireland scored a draw with England in the seven-man team event at the "Clash In the Clayton 2" International Kickboxing & K-1 promotion in the Clayton Hotel on Sunday evening.
The event, promoted by the Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing Club, finished with three wins each, and one no-contest after Jamie O'Sullivan from Clonberne, Co Galway, and his opponent clashed heads when the local man was ahead on all three judges' scorecards.
The highlight of the team event was Galway's world gold medalist Saoirse Joyce who knocked her English opponent Abi Turp out cold with a straight right punch in round two. Catherine Jennings from Galway and Fiachra Bond from Bray both took fantastic points victories over their English opponents in two very tough fights.
In other action Martin Ward from Na Fianna Gym in Athlone claimed the new IKF All Ireland K-1 cruiserweight title after a brilliant second-round stoppage over tough Dubliner Ian Henderson, while Gail Snoddy from Belfast stopped Sharon Lynch from Dungarvan with a liver kick in round four to claim the IKF All Ireland senior flyweight kickboxing title.
Galway's Damien Creavin took a super points victory over Aaron Coyle from Donegal and Galway's Gary Elbert had another great win over Conor Broderick from Thurles.
Cian McCormack from Kinvara stopped his Waterford opponent Rytis Danielius with vicious leg kicks in the second round, setting himself up nicely for the World championships in Benidorm in November, while European K-1 Champ Paul "The Hurricane" Huish from Knocknacarra stopped his opponent Gherado Frusci from Italy in round two with a master class performance in the main event.
Chloe Collins from Oranmore claimed the IKF Junior All Ireland flyweight title. She took on Jade Kavanagh and stopped the Limerick fighter with a right hook in round four.
