Derry Oakleaf Boxing Club clinch nine Ulster titles
Oakleaf Boxing Club will enter a record nine boxers into the National 4, 5, 6 Boxing Championships which begin tomorrow evening (Friday) at the National Stadium in Dublin.
The local club is on a bit of a roll just now, picking up 15 County Derry titles and a record 9 Ulster Championship Gold medals and one silver medal.
The Ulster finals were staged recently at the Clonmany Community Centre and there were numerous stand-out performances from the Rathmor based outfit.
Big-hitting puncher Adam McIvor, 70kg, fresh from 2 stoppage wins in the preliminary rounds, faced the very game Oisin Rodgers from Omagh B/G Club. The Tyrone youngster, after taking a count in Round 2, was happy to her the final bell. The Foyle College student took the victory, 5-0 on points.
The ever-improving Jack Harkin, 52kg, produced a stunning second round stoppage over Brandon McDonagh, Duke’s BC. It was a very impressive showing from the youngster and if he can maintain this form, he should be right in the mix at the Nationals.
Southpaw Sean Devenney produced his best display to date, sine returning from a two-year lay-off. 15-year-old Devenney was a comfortable points winner over Caolan Murray, Silverbridge, and another who is optimistic about his chances for glory in Dublin.
Bernie Stokes made it three wins in a week to join bis eight teammates to qualify for the Nationals, with an excellent win over the very capable Sean McCabe from Emyvale.
The Oakleaf boxers through to the Nationals are as follows:
Girl 4 – Eabha Kelly, 51kg
Girl 6 – Carleigh Irving, 48kg
Girl 6 – Ella Hughes, 63kg
Boy 4 – Ruairi Holmes 70kg
Boy 5 – Sean Devenney, 57kg
Boy 5 – Paddy Ward, 66kg
Boy 5 – Adam McIvor, 70kg
Boy 6 – Jack Harkin, 52kg
Boy 6 – Bernie Stokes, 63kg
Commenting on the recent successes at Oakleaf, Club Secretary Eugene O’Kane congratulated all the boxers who competed in the Championships, as well as the coaches and the supporters.
O’Kane also had a special word of congratulations for Oakleaf’s rising stars Eddie Reilly and Lucas McIvor, who were big winners for Co. Derry vs. Donegal, helping Derry to a 6-5 win over Donegal to retain the Derry News Cup.
30th anniversary celebrations
Oakleaf Boxing Club will celebrate their 30th anniversary in November of this year, in what promises to be a grand occasion for the club. The future at the club certainly looks bright with work due to commence on the new club premises in July and August.
As well as this, the club committee are also considering an invitation to box in Canada this summer.
All boxing supporters will surely wish good luck to all the boxers from the Northwest who are competing in the upcoming four weekends in Dublin.