Mother of two takes vacant Irish title at kickboxing event in the city

Date Published: {J}

There were three titles up for grabs in the Menlo Park Hotel on Saturday night in the fourth running of the Seasons Beatings kickboxing tournament.

The main event featured Galway superstar Gary Manogue making a mandatory first defence of his IKF 5 Nations crown against unbeaten Welshman Mike Sandford from Swansea and although Manogue earned a hard-fought unanimous decision to claim victory, great credit must go to Sandford as he left nothing in the ring and the fight went to the wire.

Oughterard hard hitter Bryan Merrigan took on Muay Thai specialist Josh Tannian from Spartans Thaiboxing camp in Cork for the vacant IKF All Ireland Super Welterweight title, which Merrigan took after catching Tannian with a kick midway through the first round which left the Cork man unable to continue.

Tannian was gracious in defeat and Merrigan and his coach Pete Foley offered Tannian and his management the very first defence early in the new year.

One of the big success stories of the year came when 38-years-old mother of two Yvonne McNevin took on Waterford’s Geina Mc Grath for the vacant IKF All Ireland Flyweight title.

Both went at it from the bell but McNevin was relentless in her attacks and she sent McGrath to the canvas twice for right counts before the end of the first round. The second round was a bit closer but McNevin always looked that bit stronger and in the third she broke through McGrath’s defence yet again and forced another standing count.

McGrath was in trouble and McNevin launched another attack, which resulted in the Waterford woman’s corner throw in the towel.

The first fight of the night saw Morgyn Kenny (Galway) draw with Eoin Fitzpatrick (Tuam) in an exhibition match. Brandon McMenamin (Galway) beat Alex O’Toole (Waterford) in the next fight after the Waterford man was forced to withdraw.

The next five fights all went to decisions, with Patrick McFadden (Donegal) beating Alex Fitzpatrick (Galway), Saoirse Joyce (Galway) beating Grace Banville (New Ross), Sean Egan (Tipperary) beating Luci Baranyai (Galway), Leona Trautt (Galway) beating Rachel Ryan (Laois) and Shane McConnell (Waterford) beating Dylan Casey.

Feidhlim Dunne (Galway) drew with Shane Smyth (Laois), while Cathal Manning (Galway) beat JJ Doran and Elaine McElligott (Cork) beat Amy Wilson (Donegal,), both by decision.