Meath and Louth titles in 24 hours for Tredagh pair

TWO boxers from the local Tredagh club claimed a rather unusual distinction when both landed Meath and Louth boxing titles within 24 hours of each other at the weekend.

Tredagh entered four boxers into the Louth Open Championships which were held over four days due to the large number of entrants from Dublin, Northern Ireland and across Leinster.

Eoin ‘Fearless’ Finglas faced a mammoth task as he took on Leinster champions in each of his two finals. First up in the Boy3 65kg class was John Mc Donagh from the host club Navan BC and a solid right cross put Mc Donagh on the back foot virtually from the start of this Meath decider. Finglas dominated throughout with controlled foot work and fast combinations and the decision was a unanimous one in favour of Finglas.

Twenty-four hours later Eoin was in the Louth Championship final, ironically were held in St Cianan’s Boxing Club in Duleek, County Meath.

His opponent this time was Nathan O’Brien from Johnstown BC and both boxers exchanged heavy, fast combinations, although the heavier punches came from the gloves of the Tredagh boxer. Round 2 was more of the same, but round 3 saw an elevated workrate from both boys.

The final bell was greeted by a standing ovation from the large Tredagh crowd and the verdict was a ‘split decision’ in Finglas’ favour and a second title in 24 hours for the First Year St Joseph’s CBS student.

Jordan ‘Tiger’ Carragher travelled to the Meath Championships, only to find that his opponent had conceded and he received a walkover.

And so it was on to his final at the Louth Open in the Youth1 60kg division. His opponent was an Irish champion and three-time Ulster champion, Neil Mather from St John Bosco BC in Newry.

This was a big step up in class, but Carragher tackled it like a true professional.

The first round was tactical as the tall, strong Newry man came forward, but the Tredagh boxer held his nerve, and he continued to counter-punch at speed in round two.

Mather changed tactics in round three and tried to counter-punch from range. Again, Carragher had an answer and he ‘opened up’ towards the end of the round with aggressive combinations and at the final bell raised his arms to signal he believed he had won.

The verdict was a ‘split’ decision in favour of the Tredagh youngster and title number two of the weekend for the Scoil Ui Mhuire Fifth Year student.

Carragher was also awarded the ‘Ben Wallace Memorial’ trophy for ‘Male Overall Best Boxer of the Championships’.

Credit must be given to the Louth Boxing County Board for a very professionally organised championships.

The opening three days of the tournament were held at Omeath BC where Jerry ‘The Bomb’ Mc Donagh entered the Boy 1 31kg class. He won through to the final against Adam Mc Kenna (Holy Family) and both boys put on a great display over three rounds, with the verdict going to Mc Kenna.

Tredagh boxers who received walkovers included Conor Kirwan (Louth & Meath Championships), Jerry Mc Donagh (Meath Championships) and Aisling Maguire (Meath Championships).