Pa Doyle wins Best Boxer award at T.J. Redmond Tournament
Clonmel Boxing Club hosted a very successful T.J. Redmond Memorial tournament in the ballroom in Fethard last Sunday week. The people of the town were treated to a fantastic afternoon's boxing, with Irish underage and senior champions, as well as a senior international and Olympic boxers, competing on the bill.
The opening contest was between two young boxers from Clonmel, Nathan Dalton and Andrew Connolly, who gave great displays in front of the packed venue in this no-decision contest.
Next up was Jack Doyle from Clonmel against Mark Lennon from the newly-reformed Thurles club. Mark had the honour of being the first boxer to compete for the new club and the first Thurles man to compete in a boxing tournament in over 15 years. The contest started at a great pace and both boxers gave everything to get the decision, but Jack Doyle showed his experience in the end with a hard-won victory.
Pa Doyle got off to a shaky start in his contest against Pat Harty from Dungarvan, but Doyle came good in the second and third rounds to take the decision.
Shane McGrath gave a solid display of punching against John McKenna, Thurles.McKenna battled hard but he had no answer to the Clonmel boxer’s power, with McGrath taking the decision.
Josh Joy showed his ability in his first contest with an all-action display that saw him take a well deserved victory against a very game Dean Cully, Thurles.
Mark Beresford, Thurles had a great first round against James Shelly, Clonmel, but Shelly got right back into it in the second and third rounds with some excellent boxing to take the decision.
Irish champion Michael Doyle faced the boxer he beat to win the Irish title last year, M. Myers of St. Michael’s, Athy, in what was a very entertaining contest. Doyle needed to be at his best against the very skilful Myers and he was, taking a well-earned victory.
The biggest cheer of the evening was held for Fethard native and Clonmel boxing club man Jack Connolly, who was up against fellow Irish champion Lee Reeves of St. Francis, Limerick. Jack as usual set a frantic pace in the first round, which unsettled his Limerick opponent. Reeves got into his stride in the second but Connolly saved his best for the last round to take a very popular victory.
Kevin Fennessy faced a very tough test against four-time senior champion Eric Donovan of St. Michael’s, Athy. Both men gave a display of top-class boxing but the weight difference of the naturally heavier Donovan showed later in the rounds, as he took the decision.
Former senior champion and Beijing 2008 Olympian John Joe Joyce had a great contest against Mark McNamara, St. Francis. McNamara gave a gutsy performance but Joyce’s experience saw him take the decision.
In the last contest of the evening Irish senior heavyweight champion Con Sheehan faced Tommy Sheehan, St. Michael’s, Athy. Con beat Tommy in the final of the 2008 senior championship to win his first senior title. The action started slowly in the first round, with both boxers very cagey. Con put on the pressure as the contest went on and just as he was getting into his stride Tommy Sheehan pulled a muscle in his leg after he turned sharply, and had to retire from the contest, which left Con the winner.
With all the contests over, it was left for the Best Boxer of the Tournament award to be selected and Clonmel boxer Pa Doyle was chosen. The T.J. Redmond Memorial award for best boxer was presented by T.J.'s sons Bobby and T.J. and many thanks to them for attending.
Many thanks also to the committee of the Fethard Ballroom for all their help and co-operation in the running of the tournament.
Well done to Thurles boxing club. It's great to see them back in amateur boxing and all the best to them for the future. Best of luck this weekend to Clonmel's underage and youth boxers who compete in the Waterford/Tipperary county championships in Tramore.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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