Gold for Daniel Joyce of Elite BC

Elite Boxing Club’s Daniel Joyce breezed through his All-Irelands in exceptional style, beating two All-Ireland champions on the way to claiming a gold medal.

Daniel took on last year’s 44kg champ Patrick McCarthy from Mayfield Boxing Club in his first fight. After a cagey first round, with both boxers figuring each other out, Daniel stepped up a gear, knocking his opponent’s head back with three fast-punch combinations, putting his opponent on the back foot for the rest of the fight. When the bell went after the three rounds, there was no doubt Daniel was the winner. Daniel’s prize was against last year’s European representative Lochlainn Began from Northern Ireland. We knew that was going to be a hard fight as Began is a strong boxer. Daniel started slowly, but was catching Began with good scoring punches. After a good talking to in the corner, Daniel went out for round two and started using his jab, scoring clean, hard shots. Began never stopped coming forward and Daniel had to work hard to keep him off.

Daniel scored good clean combinations and was the clear winner in round two. In round three, Began came out strong, but Daniel kept to the game plan, jabbing and moving, boxing on the back foot. After three tough rounds against a quality opponent, Daniel’s hand was raised and he is now the Boy 4 46kg Irish champion. Everyone at the club is proud of his achievements.

SPLIT DECISION

Patrick Nevin was on the wrong side of one of the worst 3.2 split decisions coach Tony Conroy has seen after winning his quarter-final on Saturday in dominant style, Nevin was down to box Jonathan O’Donnell, Charleville BC. The first round was tight, both lads throwing heavy shots in close, which suited O’Donnell’s style. Nevin’s corner switched the game plan for round two and Patrick boxed at long-range, catching his opponent at will and making O’Donnell miss. In round three, it was similar: Patrick started boxing with more confidence, knocking his opponent’s head back with solid jabs. After the final bell, there was no doubt in Patrick’s corner that he had won, until the announcer said 3-2 split in favour of O’Donnell.

This was upsetting for Patrick and his coaches as we know the training he has put in for these championship.

Cathal Nevin was also in action at the weekend, picking up a good win in the quarters against John McDonagh, Rathkeale BC. Both lads gave their all from the first bell, Cathal’s strong punching power and fast footwork winning him each round on all judges score cards. In the semis he would face a strong opponent from Munster. Cathal went straight to work against his tall opponent. His corner felt Cathal won the first round, but the size difference was proving a problem for the Elite BC man in all three rounds. It was non-stop boxing and at the end, the Munster boxer’s hand was raised. Elite Boxing Club are proud of the three lads as they gave their all in each fight and will be back again next season without a doubt.