Dunfanaghy ABC coach Eddie Harkin has rarely worn a smile as broad as this weekend.
By Chris McNulty, Donegal Sport Hub
This weekend, Harkin was in the corner as two of his grandsons won an All-Ireland and an Ulster title.
Yesterday at the National Stadium in Dublin, Sean Kelly defeated Martin C McDonagh from Ballina in the Irish Junior 2 48kgs final. It was Kelly’s first Irish title after losing in a final last year.
Kelly took a unanimous verdict from the judges and it was the 28th Irish crown that Harkin has coached in his time.
Today, Odhrán McGinley overcame Jamie Doyle from Gilford, County Down to win the Ulster Boy 3 52kgs title.
McGinley had the fight of his life and took a 4-1 decision from the judges.
Also in the corner was Joe Harkin, Odhrán’s godfather, so it was a proud week all around.
Next week Odhrán will look to add a 15th title to the family’s list.
Joe Harkin won an Irish title in 1996, when he defeated one Paul McCloskey from Dungiven – who went on to win a European super-lightweight title.
Already, the family has won 14 Irish titles.
Gerard ‘The Rock’ Gallagher won five Irish crowns; Michael ‘The Rock’ Gallagher won two Irish titles; Christy Boyle won four, with Marc McGee, Joe Harkin and, now, Sean Kelly, winning one each.
Tomorrow, we’ll have a full roundup of all the Ulster finals from today.
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