The Cavan BC impressed against a top Canadian team on their recent trip to Ontario….
Ceire Smith (blue) in action v Sarah Joe Rae (Jamaica) at the 7th AIBA World Women's Championships
Cavan Boxing club have been regular visitors to Canada over the last ten years and were invited to send a team to face the Ontario State team at the prestigious Bluewater Hospital Foundation Corporate Event.
Despite the Cavan club being short no less than 5 of its top juniors,competing in the National junior championships, they took the top Canadians to a 5/4 team result. The fact that no less than 3 of those defeats were majority decisions not only shows the strength in depth of local boxing but also the ability and trust built up between the Cavan competition secretary and Joe Corrigan from St Catherine’s in matchmaking.
Just 6 days after returning from her ring exploits at the World championships in China, Cavan’s Ceire Smith was back in the ring facing the strong and aggressive Sierra Picton from Nappers in Toronto. Ceire weathered the early storm from the Canadian and her clever counters and strong backhand soon gained Pictons respect.
Despite admitting to feeling tired, Smith controlled rounds 2 and 3 at long range and took a comfortable unanimous decision. This was Ceires 11th victory in 13 contests this season with no less than 11 of these taking place abroad in Canada,U.S.A, Sweden, Poland, Holland and China. S he now travels to the Ringside World Event in the U.S. in August before competing in the inaugural Irish U.22 championships later that month.
Out of luck was Navans Chris Blaney, who went down on a majority to Canadian finalist Josh Cameron from Border City. Blaney overcame the handicap of an early count to use his skills to nuetralize the power of Cameron and he can certainly feel aggrieved at coming out on the wrong end of a tight majority call. This was Cameron’s last appearance in a vest as he signs professional this week.
Another to box well was Holy Family/Golden Gloves Joanne Barclay who pushed local favorite Kaitlyn Clarke from Sharkeys all the way in a terrific female scrap. The strong and aggressive Canadian could never subdue Barclay and her skill and clever counterpunches were causing Clarke some discomfort and frustration.
Cavan BC team in Ontario
Cavans Stephen Flynn, a development officer with Cavan Sports Partnership took in majority over BEL B.C. Dan Hochaday in a middleweight slugfest. The Cavan boxer, a native of Mohill Co. Leitrim,sealed victory with a strong finish that saw his opponent forced to take an 8 count in the final session
Cavan Club mates Jonathon, Mongan and Christy Nevin defeated Canadian National champions Victor Spirdon from Windsor and Ryan Stevens from Catherine’s while Steven Maughan lost out to Jake James who is also holder of a Ringside World championship Belt.
Another Ringside champion, Devin Gibson from Bluewater, had his hands full with Stephen Sweeney from the All Blacks club in county Down, while Springhill’s Darren McGuigan looked a clear winner over Leamingtons Cory McTavish only to see his opponents hand raised after a close and controversial majority call.
www.iaba.ie would like to thank Cavan BC coach Brian McKeown and Team Manager for their excellent reports and pictures from Ontario.
Please see below attachment for Team Manager report.
