Irish and USA squads in training camp in Boston

The USA recorded eights wins in last night’s Elite 12-bout international with Ireland in Boston.

Current Irish Elite champions Kellie Harrington, Kieran Molloy, Michael Nevin and Kiril Afansev posted victories at the Royale Complex.

Harrington, switch-hitting throughout, showed her class to score a unanimous decision over Bronx lightweight Stacia Suttles, and Molloy, Nevin and Afansev earned split decisions over Continental silver medallist Quinton Randall, Nikita Abably and Adrian Tillman.

Molloy and Nevin claimed their first National Elite belts at Dublin’s National Stadium last month with Molloy also picking up the Best Boxer Award.

“My first victory since the Elite Championships against the US captain,” said Galway welter Molloy.

“Felt good in there against an experienced opponent. It felt a bit different to usual as we had to wear headguards, but I performed well and myself and the team are happy with our overall performances. Looking forward to the next bout on the 21st.”

Two split verdicts went against Ireland, with Oshae Jones and Tiger Johnston taking a majority of the judges with them against Grainne Walsh and Wayne Kelly.

Michael Nevin

Irish captain Dean Gardiner lost out on a unanimous decision to Californian super-heavy Richard Torrez in the final bout of the evening after another close encounter.

Boston featured two men – current Irish head coach Zaur Antia and former Irish head coach Billy Walsh who is now USA chiefs seconds – who helped steer Ireland to numerous Olympic, World and European medals in opposing corners.

“It was a fantastic night of boxing,” said Wexford-native Walsh. “The real winners were the boxing fans, American and Irish, supporting these two young teams.  I was really happy our performance as well as theirs.”

Bernard Dunne, Irish Athletic Boxing Association High-Performance Director and team manager in the USA, stressed that they’re using a young and developing squad on the American tour and that he was looking at performances.

The former WBA world champion got those performances last evening with the team acquitting themselves in victory and defeat against strong and experienced opposition.

Former Irish Olympian Kevin McBride and “Irish” Mickey Ward were honorary Irish and American captains in Boston.

Both nations meet again in Springfield on Thursday. Boxing begins at 11pm (Irish time).

The final leg of the three-match series will be hosted at the Downtown Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire on March 21.

USA v Ireland March 12th Boston

54kg: Virginia Fuchs beat Lauren Hogan RSC2

60kg: Stacia Suttles lost to Kellie Harrington 0-3

69kg: Oshae Jones beat Grainne Walsh 2-1

60kg: Marc Castro beat Frankie Cleary 3-0

60kg: Keyshawn Davis beat George Bates 3-0

64kg: Tiger Johnson beat Wayne Kelly 2-1

69kg: Quinton Randall lost to Kieran Molloy 1-2

75kg: Troy Isley beat Bret McGinty 3-0

75kg: Nikita Ababiy lost to Michael Nevin 1-2

81kg: Khalil Coe beat Caoimhin Agyarko-Hynes 3-0

91kg: Adrian Tillman lost to Kiril Afanasev Pts 1-2

91kg+: Richard Torres beat Dean Gardiner  3-0

USA 8 Ireland 4

Fixtures USA v Ireland

March 12: Royale Entertainment Complex, Boston, Mass.
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.

Irish squad

Female
54kg: Lauren Hogan (St Brigid’s BC)
60kg: Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s BC)
69kg: Grainne Walsh (Spartacus BC)
75kg: Aoife Burke (St Mary’s BC)

Male
91kg+: Dean Gardiner (Clonmel BC)
91kg: Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
81kg: Caoimhin Agyarko-Hynes (Holy Trinity BC)
75kg: Michael Nevin (Portlaoise BC)
75kg: Brett McGinty (Oakleaf BC)
75kg: Gerard French (Clonard BC)
69kg: Kieran Molloy (Oughterard BC)
69kg: Eugene McKeever (Holy Family BC)
64kg: Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise BC)
64kg: Caoimhin Ferguson (Clonard BC)
64kg: Paddy Donovan (OLOL BC)
60kg: George Bates (St Mary’s BC)
60kg: Francis Cleary (Ballina BC)

Team manager – Bernard Dunne
Head coach – Zauri Antia
Coach – Phillip Keogh
Coach – Martin Donovan
Coach – Paul Thompson

2018 Irish Athletic Third Level Boxing Association Championships, High-Performance Gym, National Stadium Dublin.

Day 2 – March 11th.

The action got under way just after 10:30am with Macdara O’Morain (UCD) facing off against Daniel Forde (DCU). After a slow start, Forde came more into the contest in the final rounds to have his hand raised in victory. Caoilte De Barra got UL off to a winning start when he took the decision against Sean Drislane (CIT). In the other side of the Junior Novice 64KG, Sean Foley (DIT) won against Dean Bird O’Rourke (MU).

In the Junior Novice 67KG division, Ben Brogan (GMIT) scored a unanimous decision over Michael O’Rourke D(CU). Cillian O’Donoghue got UCD off to winning ways when he took a unanimous decision over Ciaran Cronin (UL). David Giles (GMIT) won his bout against Dylan Trant (NUIG) when the referee called a halt to proceedings. Also in the Junior Novice 71KG division, Cristopher O’Neill (DKIT) took a unanimous decision over James Buckley from CIT). Daniel O’Sullivan got CIT back on track when he won his Junior Novice 71KG quarter final against John McLoughlin (BMC) by unanimous decision. Daniel McCarthy(UL) got himself into the semi-finals of the Junior Novice 71KG when he won unanimously over Shaun Devine (MU).

In the Junior Novice 75KG division, Donal Flynn (DCU) saw off Eanna Kiarie (ITTD) by unanimous decision. Robert Collins (DCU) did likewise over Michael O’Donovan from (MU) and Jean-Pierre Kaluena from (OFIF) also won by unanimous decision over David Neylon (DCU) to put himself into next Fridays Junior Novice 75KG semi-final.

In the Junior Novice 81KG quarter finals, Rudolfus Nemickas (DCU) won by KO1 against Jake Cronin (CIT). Darren McNally (BMC) took a unanimous decision over Thomas Walsh (DCU). Eoin Carolan (TCD) won by unanimous decision over Pat Ryan (ITC) and Benas Pikcilingis (CIT) won unanimously against Kevin O’Herlihy (UL).

In the Junior Novice 86KG division, Paul Barathay (CIT) beat Stephen Wade (GMIT) when the referee stopped the contest in round one. In the Junior Novice, 91KG division, Dan Noonan (UL) won by KO2 against Sean Murphy (GMIT). Frank Lowe (MCB) took a unanimous decision over Matthew Blaney (GMIT) in his Junior Novice 91KG bout.

In the Senior Novice 60KG division, Eoin Meaney (UL) took a split decision over Gavin Bradshaw (ICFE) in a bout that could have gone gone either way with two excellent boxers on show. Daniel Glavin (CIT) took a unanimous decision over Jean Galino (ITTD) in their Senior Novice 60KG bout.

In the Senior Novice 64KG division,Jack Dunne (NCI) took a split decision over Conor Harte (NUIG) while in the Senior Novice 71KG division, Cathal Connaty(DKIT) won unanimously against Luke Sheehan (DIT). Also in the same division, Leon Mooney edged a very close contest on a split decision over Colm Conneely (NUIG).

The Senior Novice 75KG saw Danny Boyle (LKIT) winning against the tough Owen O’Neill (BMC).

In the Intermediate 69KG division, Shane Carter (DCU) saw off David Lewis (UL) while in the corresponding fixture, Daryl Clarke (UU) saw off Charles Duffy (LYIT).

The Female Senior 51kg saw Chloe o’Keefe (UL) taking a unanimous decision over Ciara Anderson (LKIT).

Overall, a good days boxing and some mouthwatering contests next Friday night and Saturday morning.

Again, entry to the boxing has been free for all supporters thus far, but on Finals day, Saturday 17th, a €5 door cover charge will be in place.

Boxing will start at 10;30am on Saturday with a weigh-in taking place for all boxers from 8am-9:30am.

Pictures:

1. Philip Rooney keeps a close eye

2. Malachy Scott controlling the ring

3. Boxers requested to box by referee Malachy Scott

4. Paul McMahon raises Shane Carter’s hand following his victory over David Lewis

5. Referee Paul McMahon keeps an eye on proceedings

Copy and pictures courtesy of Paddy Gallagher

Irish Athletic Third Level Boxing Association (IATBA) Championships Day 1 report