Milestone event for Oughterard Boxing Club

Date Published: {J}

THE progress made by the revitalised Oughterard Boxing Club was evident, both in the size of the crowd and the standard of the 18 bouts, in their recent tournament held at the local Connemara Gateway Hotel.

The club broke new ground on the night as well, with the first female boxers to ever represent Oughterard taking to the ring.

Stacy Curran had the honour of being the very first when she took on Orla Chonghaine from the Connemara Boxing Club in an exhibition bout. Next up was Kaylie Walsh against Muireann Ni Lorcáin, also from the Connamara club.

With Dublin’s Katie Taylor dominating against allcomers in the international stage, it is great to see interest in this tough but rewarding sport spread and grow.

With the addition of a dedicated Boxing Gym and an increase in members from as far away as Clifden, Oughterard Boxing Club has made huge progress in 2010.

Dedicated trainers and dedicated boxers alike have helped to foster an atmosphere of competitiveness and skill, resulting in rewards such as an All Ireland boxing championship win from Colm Molloy and numerous great performances all over the country.

The bouts on the day were run off thick and fast. Cillian Tierney faced up to Edward Barrett (Olympic Boxing Club) while the promising Matthew Tierney was impressively skilful against Lorcan Loftus from the Ardagh Boxing Club.

Following these exhibition fights, the tension increased as the judges were seated for the competitive bouts. James Butler opened with a win against Gabrille Dossen (Furbo BC), with more early victories from Sean Kennedy against Tony McDonagh (Olympic BC) and Paul Walsh who fought Joe McDonagh (Connemara BC).

Sean Magee was beaten by Sean Conroy (Connemara BC), and Eoin Talbot also lost to Furbo BC’s Sean Lee. Ethan Walsh was victorious in his Boy 2 50kg bout with Daniel Mongan from Ballinasloe BC, Kieran Molloy also came out on top against Matthew Davies (Ardagh/Crossmolina BC), and Colm Molloy won his fight with Ronan Callahan (Ardagh/Crossmolina BC). The ever-improving Peter Tierney also triumphed against Thomas Stokes (Ballinasloe BC).

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.