Ding dong battles from young boxers

Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00 0 Comments

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Anthony Melanophy from Derrylin Boxing club lines up a punch.

Derrylin Boxing Club achieved another notable milestone in their brief history by successfully hosting the Tyrone and Fermanagh boxing championships at the weekend. The event attracted over 90 competitors from eleven clubs and featured twelve finals, three semi-final contests and several exhibitions on the day.

The Derrylin Boxing club performed equally as good inside the ring as they did as hosts by gaining four gold medals and one silver. They are also assured of further success as Anthony Malanaphy, after a superb display of boxing in his winning semi-final performance, is due to box his final in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone this Friday.

Derrylin Boxing Club Head Coach Sean Crowley commented of the day's events: "This was another great day for Derrylin Boxing Club and the local community. The club's committee really pulled together and help stage a wonderful event."

Hanlon Crowley won his second consecutive Tyrone & Fermanagh title in the Boy 2 (Under 13s) 39kgs class, Andrew Ferguson added to his recent Mid Ulster Novice success with gold in the Boy 3 (Under 14s) 50kgs class, Helen Moran won the Girl 6 (Under 17s) 54kgs class and Cillian McGoldrick collected his first Intermediate title in the 67kgs class.

Six Derrylin boxers were in action on the day. First in action was Aaron Burns who renewed acquaintances with Sean Breslin (Mourne Golden Gloves); having met only two weeks earlier in the Mid Ulster Novice final. The return was a repeat of the first match with both competitors disregarding defence and trading punches throughout. However, despite Burns landing with the greater volume of punches, this time because of the cleaner work Breslin was adjudged 12-10 ahead and progresses to the Boy 2 (Under 12's) 44kgs final. Derrylin's pride was restored in the next contest with a dazzling display of boxing from Anthony Malanaphy who once again had too much movement and guile for Ronan McGrinder (Lisnafin BC) in the Boy 5 (Under 16s) 50kgs semi-final. The game McGrinder put up a spirited effort but Malanaphy was just too quick and landed with clean sharp shots from both hands before dancing away. After three excellent rounds Malanaphy was a comprehensive 9-2 winner and progresses to this Friday's final full of confidence.

The hopes for a family double were dashed when cousin Conor Malanaphy was edged out 14-11 in a ding-dong battle with Pedar Quinn (Sacred Heart Omagh BC) in the Boy 5 (Under's 16s) 52kgs final. Both competitors had their fair share of success and the ascendancy switched back and forth throughout as both boxers refused to give in. After a rousing final round there was no way of knowing what way the decision was going but regrettably the home favourite was behind on this occasion. Without any opponents in their respective weight classes both Helen Moran and Cillian McGoldrick got good workouts and entertained the crowd in quality exhibition contests. Moran had a tough time with former Irish champion and three time National finalist Emma McGlynn (Lisnafin BC). But despite conceding weight, the Derrylin starlet demonstrated her improvement and defensive qualities and was competitive in all three rounds against her talented opponent.

McGoldrick renewed acquaintances with Thomas McMemamin (Immaculta Strabane BC) who had previously controversially out-scored him on a countback. This time McGoldrick demonstrated his marked improvement by using his height and reach advantages to comfortably outbox his strong and aggressive foe.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12

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