Four crowns for Wicklow
Boxers bring home titles
THERE were mixed fortunes for Co. Wicklow boxers at last weekend’s Michael Andrews Championships with Rathnew Boxing Club bagging three crowns and Arklow one but all contestants giving it their all in the National Stadium.
Alex Dickenson (second title), Adam Sinnott and Michael Cash returned home as champions for Rathnew Boxing Club after a super tournament for then Village club.
Enniskerry’s Cole Byrne was unfortunate to lose out after a countback while Grangecon’s Darijus and Airidas Peverkitus and Rian Waters also came up short despite gallant efforts.
Arklow had four boxers in the Michael Andrews finals on Saturday. Liam Dodds made his boxing debut against Michael McDonagh of Navan. This was a ding dong battle with both boxers attacking in turn but it was the Navan boxer who attacked that bit extra to earn the decision.
Darragh O’Connor was extremely unlucky when out boxing Ryan McDonnell from Tredagh. Darragh won the first two rounds so it was a shock when McDonnell’s hand was raised by a split decision.
Niamh Molloy having won her semi-final in style and was in with Megan Carty of St Michaels in the final. Niamh was out of reach with her usually brilliant jab and solid right, but the New Ross girl tied her up and won a close decision.
Josh Brown was Arklow’s last boxer and was in with Wexford C.B.S hot shot Lucas Keogh. Keogh started with a two-handed attack and caught Josh with some solid shots but by the end of the round Josh was scoring with his own solid punches. In the final round, Josh scored with solid lefts to the body followed by lefts to the head and was unfortunate to lose a very close decision.
The club’s hotshot, Philip Feokrytov, was unlucky to meet Michael Rattigan from Spartacus who is twice British schoolboy champion and had just returned from England.
Behind after the first round, Philip won the second with some good rights to the head, but Rattigan shaded the third to win the contest. Philip will now represent Leinster against Munster next week, joining clubmate Amber Byrne on the team.
Other boxers who put in good performances were Sean Byrne, Harry White, and Donacha Murphy. The club’s only champion was Cian Redmond.
The boxers will now concentrate on two test match tournaments the first in the Arklow Club on Thursday, February 7. This is an annual tournament sponsored each year by An Garda Siochana as part of their ‘Community’ programme. And then in Drogheda on February 10. These shows will also include the club’s underage boxers who are hoping to make their debut.