FIVE-TIMER Claremorris boxer, Michael Mullaney, won his fifth Irish title last weekend at the National Stadium in Dublin.
Michael takes Irish title
Austin Garvin
IT was a great night for Mayo and Connacht boxing in general at the National Stadium over the weekend when the National Intermediate Championships were decided.
Connacht emerged as the leading province with five titles, which is a great achievement and is an endorsement of the great work that’s going into the sport on the ground in the west.
The feat of Claremorris boxer Michael Mullaney in winning his fifth national title is a magnificent achievement by any standards. He boxed superbly in the final against Conor Barry (Riverstown, Cork), to take the 85 kg title. Barry was the favourite coming into the final but Mullaney produced one of the finest displays of his career to deservedly win the award.
He improved progressively all through the Championships, which is a sign of a boxer on top of his form.
Veteran Claremorris trainer Joe Charles was delighted for his charge.
“Michael boxed superbly in the final against a tough and skilful opponent,“ Joe told The Mayo News. “He improved in each of his three fights and continues to get better as he gains experience. Michael is a credit to the club and his feat in winning five National titles is an outstanding one. He’s an example to any young boxer on how they should conduct themselves inside and outside the ring.”
The quiet and retiring Claremorris boxer received a great reception when he arrived home by train on Sunday afternoon.
Galway Boxing Club won three titles with Patrick Ward winning the 67 kg crown at the expense of Shane McKeown (Sacred Heart Newry), his cousin MF Ward taking the 75 kg title from Padraig McCrory (St John’s Belfast) and Patrick Corcoran defeating Phelim Halligan (Midfield) to win the 81 kg title.
Roscommon didn’t come home empty-handed either as Donal Ward won the 71 kg award when out pointing Donegal boxer Seamus O’Reilly (Twintowns).
Ardnaree Tournament
ARDNAREE Boxing Club held a very successful tournament in their gym on Sunday last, their last tournament of 2006. Four boxers travelled from the St Francis Club in Limerick, who, along with boxers from other clubs in Mayo, provided the opposition for an Ardnaree selection.
Ardnaree won the tournament 10-5. The best boxer on the night was Ardnaree’s Michael Walsh who overcame Tom O’Donnell of St Francis in their Youth 1 63kg contest.
Results in full (Ardnaree boxers first)-33kg: Conor Kavanagh beat Michael Barrett (Golden Gloves); 52kg: David McGinty lost to Richard Hanley (Golden Gloves); Boy 2 44kg: Patrick Kelly lost to Bernard Sweeney (Claremorris); Boy 4 44kg: Niall Keogh (Eagle) beat Alan Murphy (St Francis); Boy 4 48kg: Eamonn Tighe (Ballymote) lost to Tony Sadik (St Anne’s); Boy 4 50kg: David Devaney beat Shane Cafferkey (Golden Gloves); Boy 4 60kg: JJ Kelly beat PJ Byrne (Claremorris); Youth 1 44kg: Leon Lynch (Ballycroy) beat Ben McDonagh (St Francis); Youth 1 50kg: Joseph McHugh lost to Andrew Shally (Claremorris); Youth 1 60kg: Shane Doherty (Ardagh) beat Jamie Flannery (Golden Gloves); Youth 1 57kg: Noel Igoe beat Martin Rowland (Ballycroy); Michael Walsh beat Tom O’Donnell (St Francis); Youth 1 70kg: Matthew Sullivan (Frenchpark) lost to Bernie McDonagh (St Anne’s); Youth 2 60kg: James Coyle (Golden Gloves) beat Conor Tighe (Ballymote); U19 60kg: John Judge (Ardnaree) beat Ross Rainsford (St Francis).
