MA_0711_E1_046Castlebar Boxing Club sprang back into action with their first home tournament of the boxing season in the Welcome Inn Hotel on Wednesday, October 29.
With a mixed group of both male and female boxers from underage up to Under 18 level, it proved why boxing is now the number sport in the country.
First on show, were 10yrs 36kg boxers Sean Morahan from Castlebar against Sean McDonagh, Swinford, which resulted in a draw.
Also a draw was the contest between young Oisin Quinn in the 39kg class against Declan Tolan ,Ardagh/Cross.
In the first of the B1 class, at 34KG, the agile and quick moving John McDonagh produced a fantastic display to outbox the taller and capable Dylan Toner, Swinford.
At 36kg, Castlebar’s Jack Neary had a tough battle with the hard hitting James Collins Ballina, with Collins the unanimous winner.
Clint Maughan, at 39kg, put in a very determined display to produce a deserved win over Clive Muldoon, Ballina, while Cillian Joyce, from Ardadh/Cross, also at 39kg, was unlucky in his bout against Castlebar’s Martin Lawrence.
Next up at B3 36kg, a fantastic contest between the tough William Maughan, Castlebar, and the very aware Cian Timlan, Knockmore/Foxford left Maughan gaining a majority win in a bout that could have gone either way.
Accuracy
First for the girls in the ring in the G2 44kg division was Kelly Cresham, Castlebar, taking on Nicole Butler, Monivea, with strength and accuracy equal on both sides. Cresham eventually won the split decision after the final bell.
Alex Maughan, B4 60kg, proved too much to handle for Claremorris boxer Stephen Maughan.
At J1 57kg, Shannon Dowd of Frenchpark was more than happy with a split decision win over the classy Erin Heneghan, Aglish BC.
Castlebar Southpaw Renee Roache, last year’s Irish finalist, lost out on a majority decision to Aiobhionn Carr, Monivea.
At U18 level Conor Gavin put in a spirited display yet found the going tough against the longer reach of Achill’s Dylan Reily with the latter taking the nod from all three judges.
The last two contests of the tournament were a male and female exhibition bout, with exhibition being the key word.
In soccer terms this would be labelled ‘a friendly’. However, these bouts were anything but.
Ciara Sheedy, Aglish BC, and Louise Donoughue, Geesala, produced a bout worthy of an Irish final, while Castlebar took both corners in the final bout - Colm Quinn facing off against Stephen Chambers to produce a fantastic display of boxing skills.
Castlebar Boxing Club would like to thank sponsors Rocky Moran and Ger Whyte, along with all of the officials, judges, referees, coaches and supporters who travelled to the tournament.
