Butler’s king of the ring
Wexford boxers lock horn s in provin cial fin al
TWO WEXFORD boxers produced the best fight of the Leinster youths championships held in Athy on the weekend of April 9 and 10, 2005.
Darren Butler from the St. Ibar’sSt. Joseph’s club and four times national winner, Seán Kinsella from St. Mogue’s in Coolgreany, went toe-to-toe from start to finish.
After the all-action bout, Butler gained the verdict on a majority decision in the Youth 1 66 kilos division.
All told, four worthy Wexford winners emerged from the 19 final bouts, while Seán Kirwan from Sacre Coeur in Enniscorthy collected his Boy 4 48 kilos title on a walkover.
Gorey clubmates John Murray and Shane Cox were convincing victors in the Youth 1 57 kilos and Youth 2 50 kilos categories.
Murray’s opponent, Daniel Blaney from Navan, retired in round three, while Cox got a unanimous decision against Paul Nolan from Grangecon.
Meanwhile, Thomas O’Neill from St. Mogue’s (Coolgreany) overcame Joe Joyce from Moate on a majority decision in the Boy 4 66 kilos final.
As well as those four wins in the ring, three local boxers were unfortunate to lose their finals.
Joe Bridges of St. Ibar’s-St. Joseph’s went down to Stephen
Hughes from Naas on a unanimous verdict in the Boy 4 52 kilos decider.
His clubmate, Barry O’Neill, had to give second best to Clive Condron of Kilcullen, again on a unanimous decision, in the Youth 1 52 kilos final.
Trevor Kinsella from St. Mogue’s in Coolgreany lost the Youth 2 52 kilos bout to a familiar name in the world of boxing, John Joe Joyce from Brosna in Westmeath (unanimous).
Meanwhile, a Wexford boxer who died before his time was commemorated in a most fitting manner at the championships.
The Willie Hore Cup was presented by the deceased’s mother, Eileen Hore from Davitt Road in Wexford, to Brosna, with the midlands outfit named as the most outstanding club at the tournament.