Since beloved coach Brian O’Donnell’s untimely death in 2014, Ballina Boxing Club has honoured his memory with this annual showpiece.This year, boxers from Mayo, Kildare, and Tyrone were invited and each gave terrific performances befitting the occasion. The technical highlight was a light-fly (49kg ) contest between Martin McDonagh and Willie Casey (Athy ).
From the outset Casey’s tactic was to box off the backfoot and intercept or counter McDonagh’s pressing forays. Initially it worked and might have prevailed against a lesser boxer but McDonagh’s effective combination of deft movement, subtle feints, and accurate shots to head and body secured him a good win. Also on the bill was unfinished business from the Connacht U23 Championships. Ballina’s Eric Batiuk faced Geesala’s Darren Timlin in the light-welter (64kg ) final. From the first bell Timlin’s footwork and accuracy with both hands foiled Batiuk’s constant attempts to shorten range. It was not one sided, Batiuk had opportunities, especially as both tired in the third and he might have had more success if he had taken some risks earlier, but credit should go to new Connacht Champion, Darren Timlin on a sublime performance.
Results (Home first )
B1: S Collins 0-3 K Doherty (Two Castles, Tyrone ), B2: J McDonagh 3-0 J Ward (Eagle ), B3: J Collins 0-3 C Maughan (Castlebar ), B4: S Lawrence 2-1 B McDonagh (St Annes ), J1: T Ward 3-0 O. Lally (Geesala ), J2: M McDonagh 3-0 W Casey (Athy ), G4: R Furey-Cunningham 3-0 B Doocey (C’bar ), U18: M Ward 3-0 O Byrne (Athy ), Sen: E Batiuk 0-3 D Timlin (Geesala ), Sen: S Conroy 3-0 R Donnelly (Tyrone ).
Big day in Ballyhaunis
Ballyhaunis Boxing Club tournaments must rate as among the most daunting for visiting boxers. Last weekend the club won 11 of the contests up for decision and the appreciative crowd were spoilt with inspiring performances. Martin McDonagh gave 110 per cent in a titanic heavyweight battle, earning himself a memorable victory. While teammate Patrick Daly stopped his experienced opponent by TKO in round two, remarkable considering he is a novice and Matthew Lavin bounced back to unanimously overturn a majority defeat he suffered just days previously. Of Ballyhaunis’ three defeats, two were to Charlestown Boxing Club, the other to Ardnaree. Results: (Home first )
Results (Home first )
B1: P McDonagh 0-3 T Maughan (Charlestown ), B2: J McDonagh TKO E Barrett (Geesala ), B2: M McDonagh 2-1 S Lawrence (Ballina ), B1: J McDonagh 3-0 A McDonnell (Knockmore/Foxford ), B3: P Maughan 3-0 M Duffy (Charlestown ), B3:, P Daly TKO2 M McDonagh (Ardnaree ), B4: S Maughan 3-0 P McAndrew (Ardagh/Crossmolina ), J1G: A Nolan 1-2 B Stevens (Ardnaree ), B3: E Lavin 3-0 P Myers (Sligo ), B4: T Cleary 0-3 S Dunleavy (Charlestown ) B4:, S Mcdonagh 3-0 C Costello (Ardagh/Crossmolina ), J2: M Lavin 3-0 A Maughan (Castlebar ), U18: C Bura (Aglish ) 3-0 T Ward (Eagle ).
