Hat-trick of Leinster titles for lethal Long
ENNISKERRY BOXING CLUB’S Aidan Long made it a hat-trick of Leinster titles in a row on Sunday in Athy, Co.Kildare.
Aidan (16) moved up from 75kg to 80kg for these championships and it paid off handsomely.
Aidan defeated his opponent, Jack Murphy of St. Ibars, Co. Wexford, on a 5-0 unanimous verdict.
It was another fascinating contest between the two as they had previously met in the Wexford Box Cup early in the season.
An all action bout that day in front of a passionate and partisan crowd saw Aidan edge a close fight on a narrow 2-1 score card. It was definitely one of the most exciting bouts that weekend.
The pair were due to meet again in the recent inter county competition but unfortunately Jack had to withdraw due to illness.
In the run into these Leinster championships, Aidan, who is a transition year student at St.Gerard’s, Bray, had been heavily involved in rehearsals for the school’s annual musical and indeed his training was further hampered by a rugby injury.
However, as one of the club’s hardest trainers, Aidan put in the work in recent weeks and his improved movement and patience in the ring paid dividends as he waited for his opportunities to use his backhand to telling effect.
Coaches Paul O’Toole,Ben Lynch and Darren O’Toole were delighted for Aidan who is always keen to learn and improve in his two favorite sports of boxing and rugby.