The 2012 National Boy 4 and Youth 1 & 2 Championships are now at the finals stages after 28 Boy 4 and Youth 2 semi-finals were decided at the National Stadium tonight.
In the only Boy 4 semi-final of the evening, St Michael’s Athy bantamweight John Joyce, the current European Schoolboy 48Kg champion, scored a 9-4 win over Gerard French.
Martin Reilly found the target with a flashing right in the second and forced Michael Lawrence into a standing count in the third en route to victory over Michael Lawrence in the opening Youth 2 semi-final.
The Enniskillen ace will now meet Dubliner Adam Courtney in Saturday’s 48Kg final following Courtney’s win over Cork’s Mike Olden, a victory which denied the Watergrasshill BC a third boxer in Saturday’s finals.
The 50Kg deciders went the way of the equally impressive Keith Flavin and Aidan Metcalfe, Flavin recording and inside the distance win over Conor McCrink and Metcalfe seeing off the brave challenge of Limerick’s Conor Madden.
Irish international Kurt Walker and Hughie Joyce produced a fine opening two rounds at flyweight, Walker firing in some big body shots, Joyce countering to the head.
Walker emerged from this clash and will face Clonmel BC stand out Jamie Lonergan, who had five points to spare over Ryan Clarke tonight, in the corresponding 52Kg decider.
“It was a good fight, tight. I’m looking forward to the final which should be another good one, ” said Walker, who will be aiming for his fifth Irish title against an opponent who will be appearing in his first national final tomorrow.
The bantamweight duels went the way of John J Nevin and Dylan Tang, Nevin beating Conor Doyle 9-1, and Tang, who will be targeting his second Irish crown tomorrow, forcing Cork’s Robert McCarthy into a standing count in the first on his way to victory.
Former European Schoolboy Championships bronze medalist Victor Medveduic and Sean Higginson progressed from the 57Kg deciders at the expense of Brendan Sheppard and Domhnail Deeney.
Clare’s Lee Sherlock added to his growing reputation with a tight 9-8 verdict over John Joyce, while Hugh Nevin powered his way to victory over Stephen Webb.
Limerick’s Lee Reeves kept the flag flying for the St Francis BC. The stylish Shannonsider led all the way to victory over Jordan O’Neill, while John Stokes made it two wins on-the-bounce for the Mulhuddart BC at the expense of John G Donovan.
There was further disappointment for the Olympic club in Galway shortly after Donovan’s loss after Thomas McDonagh was beaten by Dan McInerney. The Sunnyside BC in Cork suffered mixed fortunes following conflicting results for Darragh Roche and Paddy McDonagh.
Roche lost out to Gerard Whitehouse in a lively 66Kg three-rounder, but McDonagh held off a strong challenge from Gerard McCorley. McDonagh will now meet another McDonagh, Jason, who beat a third McDonagh, Richie, in the other 70Kg semi-final, in the final.
Owen Birmingham, meantime, took the early route to victory over Nathan Duncan to set up a middleweight final with Martin Conroy. Patrick Gaffey and Micky Harty will contest the 80Kg final tomorrow.
Gaffey was involved in a tough decider with Thomas Carthy and Harty recorded a well deserved win over Michael Ward. Cathal Gallagher took two standing counts versus John McDonell at 86Kg.
Thomas Conroy awaits McDonnell in the cruiserweight final after Conroy received a walkover over Davey Joyce who was injured.
Brian Gannon and Owen Maughan registered inside the distance decision in the final two bouts of the evening.
The weight-in for Saturday’s Boy 4 and Youth 1 & 2 finals will take place between 8.30am and 9.30am at the National Stadium.
Boxing begins (Boy 4) at 10.30am Saturday. The Youth 1 finals glove off at 2.30pm followed by the Youth 2 finals at 6.30pm.
National Boy 4 and Youth 1 & 2 C’Ships
Youth 2 S/Finals March 9th
Boy 4 S/Finals
54Kg: Tiernan Bradley (Sacred Heart) W/O
54Kg: John Joyce (St Michael’s Athy) beat Gerard French (Clonard) 9-4
Youth 2 S/Finals
48Kg: Martin Reilly (Enniskilllen) beat Michael Lawrence (Holy Family) 13-4
48Kg: Adam Courtney (St Marys ) beat Mike Olden (Watergrasshill) 13-6
50Kg: Keith Flavin (Paulstown) beat Conor McCrink (Carrickmacross) RSC2
50Kg: Aidan Metcalfe (Crumlin) beat Conor Madden (St Francis) 16-6
52Kg: Kurt Walker (Canal) beat Hughie Joyce (St Michaels Athy) 17-12
52Kg: Jamie Lonegran (Clonmel) beat Ryan Clarke (Glin) 12-7
54Kg: John J Nevin (Cavan) beat Conor Doyle (Paulstown) 9-1
54Kg: Dylan Tang (Mulhuddart) beat Robert McCarthy (Glen) 15-6
57Kg: Victor Medveduic (Tramore) beat Brendan Sheppard (Swords) 10-4
57Kg: Sean Higginson (St Agnes) beat Domhnall Deeney (Bishop Kelly) 8-5
60Kg: Lee Sherlock (Ennis) beat Joe Joyce (St Michaels Athy) 9-8
60Kg: Hugh Nevin (Cavan) beat Stephen Webb (Holy Trinity) 13-5
63Kg: Lee Reeves (St Francis) beat Jordan O’Neill (St Saviours OBA) 15-5
63Kg: John Stokes (Mulhuddart) beat John G Donovan (Olympic) 9-6
66Kg: Dan McInerney (Brosna) beat Thomas McDonagh (Olympic) 11-3
66Kg: Gerard Whitehouse (Bracken) beat Darragh Roche (Sunnyside) 11-5
70Kg: Paddy McDonagh (Sunnyside) beat Gerard McCorley (Toome) 11-9
70Kg: Jason McDonagh (St Annes) beat Richie McDonagh (Darndale) 6-4
75Kg: Owen Bermingham (Glasnevin) beat Nathan Duncan (Immaculata) RSC1
75Kg: Martin Conroy (Ballyhaunis) beat Shane Nevin (St Brigets) 10-5
80Kg: Patrick Gaffey (Clan Naofa) beat Thomas Carthy (Corinthians) 6-3
80Kg: Micky Harty (Rathkeale) beat Michael Ward (St Ailbhes) 20-8
86Kg: John McDonell (Crumlin) beat Cathal Gallagher (Omagh Boys) 14-6
86Kg: Thomas Conroy (Olympic) W/O
91+Kg: Brian Gannon (St Michaels Newross) beat Kellan Sweeney (Letterkenny) RSC2
91+Kg: Owen F Maughan (Charlestown) beat Carl Scully (Edenmore) RSC1
