St John's ABC Swatragh crowns a 10th All Ireland champion

St John's boxing club in Swatragh crowned their 10th All Ireland champion last week, with Sean McNamee scooping the prestigious title in Dublin.

There was plenty of local interest at the Irish National Boxing Championships, with no fewer than three representing the established Swatragh club.

The national boys and girls event took place at the home of Irish Boxing, the National Stadium. Sean was the star of the show for the local club, winning his first Irish title after three tough bouts.

His first bout was against the Antrim champion.

"He was a good kid from Holy Family Belfast," said club coach Ciaran Quinn. "But Sean's pressure and timing of his punches proved too much. The contest was stopped in the second round."

The semi final was against the Munster champion from Cork.

"The first round was a close affair but when Sean got his jab going in the second and third round he won comfortably," said Ciaran.

He then boxed the Connacht champion from Galway city in the final on Saturday morning. It was was a close contest in the first round but in the second and third Sean’s timing, pressure and power of his punches was too much for his opponent.

"It was a great win for Sean and also a boost for our club," said Ciaran. "Ciara McNamee lost her Irish final to a more experienced girl from Meath but made a good account of herself, having had no competitive boxing on her way to these championships.

"Barry Og Convery won his quarter final against a former Irish champion on Friday morning and had a very good fight against the current champion from last season, losing on a unanimous decision.

"It was a great experience for all of them. Lots of lessons learned and it's back to training for the next one."