West boxers in fine form
BALLYMORE HOLLYWOOD boxing club had six entries in the boy 1-3 Leinster Championships held over the last couple of weekends in Ryston and St. Brigid’s Kildare.
At Boy 2 37kg, Brian Gilroy represented the club bringing home a silver medal.
In his semi-final bout he faced Aaron McQuillan from Holy Family Drogheda and dispatched of him in a classy performance, forcing a second round stoppage with a body shot.
In the final he faced Leinster Champion and Irish silver medallist Jason Nevin from Olympic Mullingar.
This was a very technical fight with a blistering start and both boxers enjoying periods of dominance. It was Nevin who got the decision but he was pushed all the way by Gilroy who boxed to his full potential on the day and can be proud to take silver.
Dan Murphy boxed at Boy 2 40kg and was eliminated in the semi-final by Jack Dempsey of Wexford CBS but boxed well on the day, and can be happy with the improvements he has shown throughout the year.
Ciaran Coyne, the club’s entry at Boy 2 46kg, faced the talented Kian Kelly from St. Mary’s New Ross in his semi-final.
This was a very close contest, with Ciaran work the one-two and double attack to great effect and getting the decision.
In the final he faced James O’Reilly from Paulstown, a tough customer who pushed forward throughout.
This meant the final became a combative affair with Coyne scoring well with his back hand and left hook combinations in particular.
After a tough fight, Ciaran was confirmed as Leinster champion and will now represent the club at the All-Ireland series over the Easter Holidays.
At Boy 3 46kg, Sean Metcalfe faced Paul Hutchinson from Birr in his semi-final meeting.
Hutchinson came out swinging in round one, landing some stinging punches with Metcalfe boxing mostly on the counter.
Sean stayed in contention using a swarm tactic to try to overwhelm the taller Birr lad. As the third round approached, Metcalfe started to land some telling punches and had a visibly tiring opponent on the back-foot throughout. Unfortunately for Sean, it was too late and the decision went to Hutchinson, who then went on to win out the division.
Willie Eager represented the club at Boy 3 52kg and faced Ryan Cullen from the Ballagh boxing club in his semi-final.
This was an intriguing fight with Eager pushing forward to try to force an inside fight while Cullen who had the longer reach scoring on the outside.
Punctuated by stinging flurries, Eager picked off some great hooks in particular, but it was the higher punch volume of the tough lad from the Ballagh that won through on the day, with Cullen going on to take the Leinster title also.
Ben Burke, competing at Boy 3 59kg, faced Thomas Mongan from Brosna in his semi-final and despite a tough performance from the Offaly lad, it was a dominant win from Ben who progressed to the final where he faced Fiachra Scully from Athy.
The final was a good performance from Ben who boxed very well from the outside, using his long reach against Scully who continually tried to draw Ben into an inside scrap. Burke got the unanimous decision and the second Leinster title on the day for the Club.
Ballymore Hollywood boxing club would like to wish Sam Murphy our Boy 4 46kg Leinster champion the best of luck as he fights in the Irish final against Ciaran Delaney of Glasnevin on Friday, April 7, at 7pm in the National Stadium.