Olympic Boxing Club secures another six national titles

It was a superb day for Olympic Boxing Club, Mullingar at the National Junior 1 and 2 boxing finals on Saturday March 22 in the National Stadium, Dublin.

The club had five boxers boxing in the All-Ireland Finals and all five youths were successful in their All-Ireland title efforts.

First up for the Olympic club was Louise Joyce in the girl 5, 43kg category. Louise was excellent, winning her eighth All-Ireland title, beating the Antrim Champion 5-0 in the process.

Calvin Stokes was a finalist in the boys 44kg category. He produced a fine display, winning his first All-Ireland title and overcoming the Antrim Champion, 5-0. This was a brilliant performance from Calvin and great to see him getting that first title.

Jason Donoghue is no stranger to these finals and he was taking his place in the 60kg event. Jason won his seventh All-Ireland title after his opponent from Ulster pulled out injured.

In the Boy 4, 52kg category, Christy Joyce had a good victory over the Munster champion, winning 4-1 in the end.

In the Junior 2, 54kg section, Oisin Kiernan won his first All-Ireland title, beating the Dublin champion 5-0 with a brilliant performance.

In the Junior 2, 70kg category, John Donoghue captured his ninth Irish title, stopping his Antrim opponent in the process.

It was another fine display by this talented boxer who adds yet another Irish title to the world and European medals he won last year.

The club would like to thank all their supporters who travelled to the finals to support the young boxers over the two weekends. A special thanks to all the coaches, Pat McNamee, Davy Joyce, Michael Nugent and Kenny Kiernan for their assistance in getting the boxers prepared over recent weeks.

Olympic Mullingar now have nine national titles this season and a total of 114 national titles since they started this great journey in June 2014.

Johnny Joyce, lead coach at the proud Mullingar club, said he was delighted for all boxers and praised the great collective effort ongoing at the club.

"To go there and win six titles on the same weekend is just a superb achievement and it shows the great work these young boxers are putting in every day.

“They are extremely dedicated and all coaches are working very hard with them to improve all the time.

“All the other clubs are getting better so they know they have to keep the work going if they are to win.

“It is great for them and they deserve their reward," he said.

Sympathy

All the six title winners and the club’s coaches would like to express sincere sympathy to the family of the late Eamonn ‘The Killer’ Byrne, who passed away just before the finals.

The club would like to dedicate the All-Ireland victories to the late Eamonn, who was a skilled boxer in his day and a great supporter of all young athletes.

John Donoghue's fine victory

John Donoghue, 67kg, boxing in a youth U18 international bout on Friday evening in Holy Family Boxing Club enjoyed a noteworthy success.

John moved up a weight class to 71kg to meet the Indian champion, who had overcome the Irish champion, 5-0, on Thursday. Producing a dominant display, John gave his opponent three standing eight counts to stop him and end the bout early.

In John's corner was 2008 Olympian and club coach John Joe Joyce, who also was on duty helping Irish boxers on the evening.

John will now take a three-week break and be back to focus on the All-Ireland U18 championship in July or August - dates to be announced soon.

John continues to build on his success last year which saw him secure major honours and he clearly has the ability to go further.