The Finals of the Ulster Elite Boxing Championships may be taking place one day later than expected due Storm Éowyn, but it has only served to increase the anticipation with 12 bouts down for decision on Saturday at Girdwood Community Hub.
There are plenty with real intrigue and none more so than the lightweight decider between Irish Elite champion Rhys Owens and Dylan Eagleson.
Owens came through his Semi-Final on Thursday in fine style against Erik Banas, scoring a knockdown along the way, while Eagleson was certainly not eased back in after a lengthy period out with injury.
Up against Jordan O’Donnell, Eagleson was understandably a little rusty but also displayed moments of class to get through against the St George’s man who pushed him right to the final bell.
The test against Owens will be tougher again but the St Paul’s southpaw is determined to prove he remains one of the biggest young talents in Irish boxing.
“The first one back, even after a few months, is always a tough one but that was after 14, 15 months out,” Eagleson said after his win.
“That wasn’t a slow-paced three rounds as he wouldn’t stop coming, but I’m just happy to get the ring-rust off. Boys like that knock you off your flow.
“He gave it all he had and gave me a good scrap, so fair play to him.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back in there on Saturday, get it out of the way and back down to Dublin (High Performance Unit).
“I want to prove to people you can come back from injuries and it’s not the end of the world when I thought it was. I’ve the (Irish) Elite champion (Owens) here but I’m coming to take that title.”
Jon McConnell came through his Semi-Final against Cahir Gormley to set up a repeat of last year’s light-middleweight decider against Matthew McCole, who received a walkover in the last four.
In the 2024 decider, McCole got the nod in a very close contest, but McConnell would finish the year in fine style by claiming his first Irish Elite title and is keen to make amends for his defeat 12 months ago.
“One down and I’ll be sharper on Saturday — that’s the ring rust gone,” he said on Thursday.
“I won the Irish Elites and now I’m the No.1, so I will be ready to go on Saturday and get my revenge for last year as long as I give 100 per cent.
“Last year, I didn’t give that 100 per cent in the ring, but if I do that’s all I can ask for and the result looks after itself.”
One repeat Final did not materialise as 2022 flyweight champion Blaine Dobbins lost out to Scott Thompson and the rising star from Spartans is up against another of the reigning Irish champions in Clepson Dos Santos in what looks set to be an excellent start to the 12 Finals listed.
Elsewhere, the finalists in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions are in action for the first time with Immaculata’s Karl Reilly facing Holy Trinity’s Diarmuid Bradley at 54kg, while at 57kg, Casey Walsh (North Down) and Clonard’s Jamie Graham will battle it out for the title.
There are also three women’s Finals down for decision with Emerald’s Catrina Moore Glengormley’s Ciara Craig contesting the lightweight decider. At light-welterweight, Holy Trinity’s Kaci Rock meets Corpus Christi’s Ella McDonald and at welterweight, Clonard’s Caprice Coiley takes on Holy Trinity’s Janssen Hill.
The remaining Final pairings were decided on Thursday with Erne’s Anthony Malanaphy qualifying for the welterweight decider against Cairn Lodge’s Gianni Richmond who had the benefit of a walkover.
The middleweight decider will be contested by St John’s Eoghan Quinn and Holy Trinity’s Kyle Smith, while the 80kg Final will be decided between Castleblayney’s Conor McKernon and St Monica’s Ryan Murphy, while Holy Family’s Garyn McAllister takes on Immaculata’s Colm McCorry at heavyweight.
Finals (Saturday from midday)
51kg: Clepson Dos Santos (Holy Trinity) v Scott Thompson (Spartans)
54kg: Karl Reilly (Immaculata) v Diarmuid Bradley (Holy Trinity)
57kg: Casey Walsh (North Down) v Jamie Graham (Clonard)
60kg: Catrina Moore (Emerald) v Ciara Craig (Glengormley)
60kg: Rhys Owens (Erne) v Dylan Eagleson (St Paul’s)
63kg: Kaci Rock (Holy Trinity) v Ella McDonald (Corpus Christi)
66kg: Caprice Coiley (Clonard) v Janssen Hill (Holy Trinity)
67kg: Anthony Malanaphy (Erne) v Gianni Richmond (Cairn Lodge)
71kg: Matthew McCole (Illies) v Jon McConnell (Holy Trinity)
75kg: Eoghan Quinn (St John’s) v Kyle Smyth (Holy Trinity)
80kg: Conor McKernon (Castleblayney) v Ryan Murphy (St Monica’s)
92kg: Colm McCorry (Immaculata) v Garyn McAllister (Holy Family)