Hat-tricks for Knockmore/ Foxford and Achill clubs.

Ardnaree Boxing Club held the last tournament of 2013 last Friday night in the Hibernian Hall. The annual Dessie Beattie Memorial Trophy was won by Stephen Collins for the best Ardnaree boxer of the tournament. The event commenced with the final of the Boy 1, 39kg Mayo Novice final between Charlie Ward (Gurteen Sligo ) and Thomas Donoghue (Champs Camp Galway ) with the latter having his hand raised by a majority decision. In Boy 1, 31kg Diarmuid Brogan (Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club (KFC ) ) boxed exceptionally well in his bout against Jason Butler (Ballinrobe ). The KFC boxer was the first of three boys from the club winning a hat trick of contests, Brogan winning by a unanimous decision. Stephen Collins got the host club off to winning ways when he out-pointed Jack O’ Donoghue (Golden Gloves ) by a unanimous decision. Shea Pye (KFC ) looked impressive in the Boy 2, 33kg contest getting the nod from all three judges after the final bell. His club mate Cian Timlin did enough in the Boy 2, 36kg bout winning by a majority and obtaining a hat trick of wins for the KFC club. Achill boxing club also had a hat trick of victories winning their inaugural contest since the new club was founded last year. Adam Dempsey out pointed last season’s National finalist Owen Mc Donagh (St Anne’s ) in the Boy 2, 54kg division. Dempsey had his large contingent of supporters in full voice throughout the three rounds and when Joe Hennigan MC announced that it was the first win for the club loud cheers could be heard all round the gym. Mark Reynolds was the second Ardnaree boxer to win in the Boy 4, 44kg class after he narrowly defeated Christy Bourke (Castlerea club ). Achill maintained their winning ways in the Youth 1, 48kg grade as Matthew Whorriskey overcame Cian O’Dee in a close bout. Darragh Ferrick (Ballinrobe ) and Luke Doherty battled it out in the Youth 1, 57kg and it was Ferrick who won 2/1 on this occasion. Jordan McCarthy (Castlerea ) defeated the experienced Gavin Roche (Castlebar ) in a hard hitting bout. Kieran Lally (Ardnaree ) had his hands full with Aaron Daly (Castlebar ) in the youth 2, 42kg bout, Daly winning on a 2/1 score. Contest of the night was the female bout between Ciara Sheedy (Aglish Club ) and Kaleigh Mc Cormack (Kilfenora Club Clare ). In a highly skilful three rounds of boxing the Mayo girl won by a majority decision, it was a tremendous victory for the Aglish boxer as the Clare girl is National Intermediate champion. Achill made it three wins out of three in the second last contest on the programme as Rory O’Sullivan got the better of John Ginty (Ardnaree club ).