Battle of Westmeath 'a credit to communities of Shandonagh and Milltown'
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Joshua Neary vs Johnny Duncan fought out an epic encounter.Image 2 of 17
This massive haymaker from Evan Molloy of Shandonagh all but ended Mark Geraghty’s fight, leaving him unable to open his left eye.Image 3 of 17
Sara Duffy announced as winner by referee Johnny Joyce in the opening bout against Dayna Muldarry. Pictures: Darren Keavney.Image 4 of 17
Aiden O’Donoghue wins against Padraig Heduan of Milltown in this bruising fight.Image 5 of 17
No holding back between Mary Ormsby of Shandonagh and Celine Geraghty of Milltown. CTM360 Darren KeavneyImage 6 of 17
Tracey Dillon comes out on top against Lisa Timlin of Shandonagh in a very close fight.Image 7 of 17
No telling who won this between Paul Heduan and Paddy Duffy after Paddy sustained a serious looking shoulder injury.Image 8 of 17
Cian Molloy (Shandongh) vs Jason Molloy (Milltown) left nothing to chance in a hard-hitting bout.Image 9 of 17
Fabian Doran opting for the extra mouth guard against Harry Pendred of Milltown.Image 10 of 17
The two Johnnies, Johnny O’Connor and Johnnie Fitzpatrick, battled out the last bout of the night.Image 11 of 17
The best presenter in the business, Phil Baker, kept everyone entertained.Image 12 of 17
Milltown’s Shane Mahon leaves Shandonagh’s Michael Kiernan on the canvas with the hit of the night.Image 13 of 17
Kevin Sharry and Tosh Kiernan land huge hits at the same time. ctm 360Image 14 of 17
Niall McGauran of Milltown battles against Roy Smith - ‘the cobra’ - in this bout. ctm360Image 15 of 17
Paul Moran of Milltown against Paul Doherty, Shandonagh, proved to be the fight of the night. ctm360Image 16 of 17
Paul Moran is celebrating at the end of a fantastic event. ctm360Image 17 of 17
Annmarie Creagh of Milltown leaves a big hit on Eva Ross. ctm360Thirty two fearless fighters took to the boxing ring last Saturday night for the Battle of Westmeath, between Shandonagh and Milltown GAA clubs, at a packed Main Arena in Mullingar Equestrian Centre. There was a real atmosphere of festivity in the arena, but the fighting was not for the fainthearted as each contestant pulled serious punches in the 16 three-round fights.
Milltown edged Shandonagh on wins, but the real winners were the two clubs and their communities who benefit from the fundraiser.
The contestants, many of whom had no previous boxing experience, trained tirelessly over several weeks, showing dedication, commitment and stamina as they were put through a rigorous regime by coaches Davy Joyce and John Joe Joyce.
John Joe refereed all of the fights on the night and gave encouragement and advice to each of the contestants before the bouts and between the rounds.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner after the event, one contestant told how they trained intensively for six weeks, three nights a week, in the Olympic Boxing Club in Mullingar, learning techniques and improving their fitness. “We were trained by John Joe Joyce and Davy Joyce. Boxing is more than a sport to them, it is their life”, he remarked.
He “found the whole experience good” and it gave him a greater respect for the sport of boxing, and an appreciation of the level of fitness needed to compete. “A minute and a half is a long time in the ring”, he stressed.
A minute and a half was the duration of each round and there were three rounds in each bout.
The trad band, Out4One opened the night and Ruaile Buaile played at the after party. Food and drinks were on sale.
A member of the audience remarked that the event was “very well organised and a credit to both communities”. “It was a total success, so professionally run, and it couldn’t have gone better”, he reckoned.
In addition to the huge effort put in by the fighters, there was a similar effort put in behind the scenes by volunteers from both clubs, planning, gathering sponsorship, and running an event of this scale.
In a commemorative booklet, the organising committee said: “This event isn’t just entertainment. It’s community. It’s two clubs working together to build something bigger for their players, families and future. It’s pride in where we come from and ambition for where we’re going”.