A Donegal boxing team had a successful tournament yesterday at the Lansdowne Hotel in Belfast.
The inter-county tournament saw Donegal punchers win five of the contests.
Donegal coach Raymond Donaghey assesses the fights:
Boy 3 36kg
Blaine Ramsey (Larne) lost to Cormac Hall (Dunfanaghy)
“Cormac had a close first round getting tied up with Ramsey through the round. Hall started the second round very well using centre of the ring and using his long reach. In the third round, he took full control of the fight, going on to win unanimously.”
Boy 1 35kg
Sean Hillick (Ardoyne) lost to Thomas McMenamin (Twin Towns)
“McMenamin started slow but came to the fight throwing good straight one-twos. McMenamin doing the same throughout the fight to win unanimously.”
Boy 1 41kgs
Oisin McCann (St Pauls) beat Oisin Doherty (Carn)
“In the first round, young Doherty was up against a very strong McCann from St. Pauls. McCann proved too strong so Donegal coaches stopped the fight in the opening round.”
Boy 2 42kg
Danny McGill (Glengormley) beat Josh McDonagh (Dunree)
“McDonagh had a great first round, threw good straight punches and moved around the ring. In the second round, Josh went on back foot getting caught with punches. McDonagh was told by his corner to start moving away from the ropes. Did well from then on but lost out on a split decision.”
Boy 2 42kg
Carlo Natarintonio (Clonard) lost to Bernard McDonagh (Dunfanaghy)
“Barney started off boxing too close to Natarintonio getting tied up. Barney came out in the second round holding the centre of the ring using his long reach keeping Natarintonio out of reach. McDonagh kept throwing good combinations going on to win the fight unanimously.”
Boy 3 42kg
Terry Hanna (Townland) lost to Barney McDonagh (Dunfanaghy)
“Barney started very well proving to be too strong for Hanna with very good body shots, The referee stopped the fight in favour of McDonagh.”
Boy 4 57kg
Ryan Johnstone (Clonard) beat Adam McDaid (Clonmany)
“Adam boxed very well, maybe at times getting caught with punches on the way out. Adam boxed outstanding throughout rest of fight but came out on the wrong side of a split decision. We thought Adam should have got the fight.”
Youth 1 60kg
Thomas McCann (St. Pauls) beat Liam McMonagle (Raphoe)
“McMonagle had a hard fight in front of himself but boxed very good against a talented McCann. Three hard rounds for McMonagle lost out on a unanimous decision. Liam did his county proud by boxing so well.”
Youth 1 42kg
Oisin Mulholland (East Down) v Patrick McShane (Letterkenny)
“This was an exhibition bout, but Patrick was outstanding, it was great to watch and I think there are big things to come for McShane.”
Youth 2 55kg
Patrick McClarnon (Bangor) beat Justin Nelson (Carn)
“Justin started out well, very good first round. McClarnon came out in second round proving to be the stronger boxer by keeping Nelson back. A very good hard fought battle, McClarnon going on to win unanimously.”
Youth 2 70kgs
Joe Murphy (St Monicas) lost to Oisin Devlin (Carn)
“Murphy had a good first round by staying close to Devlin. In the second round Devlin using the centre of the ring, good long shots keeping Murphy away. Devlin did the same in the third and the Carn man went on to win fight on split decision.”
