Jon McConnell and Matthew McCole are set for a repeat of last year’s Ulster Elite Boxing Championships’ light-middleweight Final as they will meet again in this year’s decider following Thursday’s Semi-Finals at Girdwood Community Hub.
McCole had the benefit of a walkover, while McConnell was hugely impressive in his unanimous verdict over McCole’s Illies clubmate, Cahir Gormley.
The Holy Trinity standout boxed with supreme confidence, tagging Gormley consistently with the right as it seemed he couldn’t miss.
Gormley, welterweight champion last year, began the second brightly, but the Holy Trinity man was quick to re-establish his dominance with the right and then brought the left into play. His accuracy through the middle kept Gormley off balance as McConnell was clearly in an unassailable position heading into the final frame.
Gormely did try to turn things his way in the final round but McConnell was not prepared to ease off, keeping his foot on the accelerator as he marched into the Final.
“I enjoyed that,” said a satisfied McConnell.
“There was a bit of ring rust as I haven’t boxed since the Irish final (in November). I got my range in the first round and took my foot off the gas a wee bit in the last round, but I have another fight in a day or two and knew I had the first two handy.
“Fair play to him as I didn’t think he was going to stick it until the last round, but he did as he was throwing back well. I let him come back into it a bit, but I’m ready to go again on Saturday.”
Earlier in the night, Dylan Eagleson made a successful return to the ring as he advanced into the lightweight Final at the expense of Jordan O’Donnell.
Eagleson, who hasn’t boxed in over a year due to hand injuries, had to work for his 4-1 split decision win but, in fairness, he seemed to have done enough to set up a meeting with Irish Elite champion Rhys Owens, who came through the other Semi-Final against Cookstown’s Erik Banas in fine style.
Scott Thompson advanced into the flyweight decider as he recovered from a second-round setback to get the better of 2022 champion Blaine Dobbins on a 4-1 split.
The St Joseph’s southpaw was busy from the off with effective, fast combinations, but Thompson settled to the task and found his timing, scoring with counters as the 2022 champion advanced.
The Spartans man did have to pick himself off the floor in the second but recovered well and took charge as he set up a final with Clepson dos Santos.
In the welterweight category, another of the Erne men, Anthony Malanaphy, came through an entertaining battle against Clonard’s Darragh Smyth on a unanimous decision and in the Final he will meet Cairn Lodge’s Gianni Richmond, who had the benefit of a walkover.
The middleweight Semi-Finals saw a unanimous win for Eoghan Quinn over Daniel Ramsey, while Kyle Smith scored a knockdown on his way to victory over Philip Rooney on a 3-0 split after a thrilling battle.
The 80kg Final will be decided between Castleblayney’s Conor McKernon – who received a walkover – and St Monica’s Ryan Murphy who was a 5-0 winner over Peter Clarke, while Garyn McAllister came through on a 5-0 decision against Calvin McCullough in the heavyweight category to set up a final against Immaculata’s Colm McCorry.
The finals, initially due to take place on Friday, have been switched to Saturday afternoon (from midday) due to Storm Éowyn.
Semi-Finals
51kg: Scott Thompson (Spartans) 4-1 Blaine Dobbins (St Joseph’s)
60kg: Rhys Owens (Erne) 5-0 Erik Banas (Cookstown)
60kg: Dylan Eagleson (St Paul’s) 4-1 Jordan O’Donnell (St George’s)
67kg: Anthony Malanaphy (Erne) v Darragh Smyth (Clonard)
67kg: Gianni Richmond (Cairn Lodge) W/O
M71kg: Matthew McCole (Illies GG) W/O
M71kg: Jon McConnell (Holy Trinity) 5-0 Cahir Gormley (Illies GG)
75kg: Eoghan Quinn (St John’s) 5-0 Daniel Ramsey (Emerald)
75kg: Philip Rooney (Sacred Heart BA) 0-3 Kyle Smyth (Holy Trinity)
80kg: Conor McKernon (Castleblayney) W/O
80kg: Ryan Murphy (St Monica’s) 5-0 Peter Clarke (Errigal)
92kg: Garyn McAllister (Holy Family) 5-0 Calvin McCullough (Monkstown)