Rewards are vast as McGinty seeks Ulster Elite final place

Brett McGinty returns to the ring tonight seeking a place on next week’s Ulster Elite finals roster.

The Oakleaf ABC welterweight meets Nathan Watson from the Saints ABC in Belfast in one of tonight’s 69kgs semis at the Dockers Club.

Next Friday sees the Ulster Elites return to their traditional home at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

There is also the added incentive that these Championships are effectively acting as qualifiers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

St Johnston’s McGinty has Commonwealth experience in the past having returned from Samoa with a Commonwealth Youth Games silver medal in 2015.

McGinty has won eight Irish titles in his time and this year reached his first Irish Elite final, losing out to Wexford’s experienced Dean Walsh in the decider.

Now, though, the flame-haired McGinty is targeting a return to a big final when he meets Watson tonight.

In the other welterweight semi-final, the ever-improving Aidan Walsh of Monkstown takes on Clonard’s Gerard French.