Gateway and City boxers win titles at Connacht Open final
BOXERS from Sligo Gateway and Sligo City Boxing Clubs were in competitive action recently at the Connacht Boxing Open Novice Championships held in Castlerea. The Championships are for boxers aged 11 years to senior level, and had a total of 280 boxers in the final entry.
Sligo’s Gateway Boxing Club was delighted to have a team of 9 boxers take part.
First up on Saturday’s semi-finals was Jack Willis (11yrs) who had a great bout but lost out on a split decision to his opponent from the Olympic Boxing Club, Galway.
Next up was Luke Finan, (11yrs) who put in a good three rounds with his opponent from Castlebar, winning on a split decision 2-1, advancing Luke to the final.
The 3rd bout was Katie Sweeney (11yrs) who boxed in her final against a girl from the Ardnaree Boxing Club Ballina.
Katie won unanimous 3-1,giving the Gateway boxing club their first champion of the season.
Fourth up was Willie McGinley (13yrs) who put in a strong performance but was up against a strong lad that travelled from Kilkenny.
After 3 tough rounds the Kilkenny boxer’s hand was raised, forcing McGinley out of the tournament.
The 5th boxer on for the Gateway Boxing Club was Daniel Gunning (16yrs) who was a part of the Summerhill boxing programme last year.
Daniel put in an outstanding performance against an opponent from Monivea Boxing Club Galway, winning on a split decision 2-1 advancing Daniel to Sunday’s final.
The 6th bout was the Ballygawley brawler, Jamie Donovan (17yrs) who boxed against a lad from Outherard Boxing Club Galway. From the first bell there were fireworks between these two, but it didn’t last long with Donovan winning on round 1. Last but not least for Gateway Boxing Club was Christian Monaghan (Senior Novice) who faced a strong lad from the Ballyshannon Boxing Club. After 3 hard rounds of non-stop punching from both boxers, the judges gave a decision of 2-1 against Monaghan.
This concluded day one with 5 boxers through to the finals.
Day 2 of the Connaught Open Novice Championships saw Luke Finan first on for Gateway Boxing Club. Luke’s opponent was a boy from Swinford. Both lads started strong but Luke soon took control of the fight and after 3 rounds Finan’s hand was raised to become Connacht Novice Champion. Next up was Johnny McGinley, (11yrs) facing local lad Tommy Myers from Sligo City Boxing club. This would be the 3rd time these two lads have met with both lads with a win under their belts. After 3 hard rounds of non-stop action the decision 3-1 went to Sligo City’s Tommy Myers.
The 3rd final on the day was Jack Maguire, Jack put in a massive performance against the Galway Boxing Club opponent, showing great skill counter punching and using great foot work, but it wasn’t for Jack, losing on a split decision.
Daniel Gunning was competing in the 4th final and he put in a brave performance against a Ballinamore boxer. The last final for Gateway Boxing club was Jamie Donovan, who faced yet another boxer from Outherard Boxing Club Galway. After 3 rounds of non-stop action Donovan retired in round 3 with the referee stopping the contest due to a nose bleed.
Sligo City Boxing Club were out in force with 3 club members claiming Connacht Novice Championship titles, first up was 11 year old Cathal Myers, who won his final against a lad from Castlebar Boxing Club. Next up was 11 year old Tommy Myers who boxed a local lad Tommy McGinley from Sligo Gateway Boxing Club and after 3 strong rounds Myer’s had was raised. Last up was Joshua Sweeney who won his semi-finals after 3 good rounds. Overall a great weekend for Sligo City Boxing Club. Following this, Sligo City’s Paddy Myers won his National U18 Semi-final on Friday 24th January.
The Sligo boxing community was proudly cheering two of their best boxers in the National Championship finals on Friday, Meghan Potter from Gateway Boxing Club and Paddy Myers Sligo City Boxing Club were both taking part.