Three gold and two silver medals and a ‘Best Boxer of the Championships’ award
The Monkstown International Box Cup, which was held in Dalkey recently, attracted top class boxers from all over Europe including seven boxers from Tredagh Boxing Academy who came away with Three gold and two silver medals and a ‘Best Boxer of the Championships’ award.
It all started on the Friday with under aged skill bouts with two Tredagh boxers entered – Adam Walsh boxed a very strong lad from Gorey in a three round thriller with nothing between each of them.
On Saturday he boxed a very experienced lad from England in another three round thriller. Adam did extremely well in both contests to move him up a level or two through the weekend. Well Done Adam.
Cara Evans boxed a girl from Crumlin on the Friday and gave a masterclass performance in all three rounds to control the ring and exhibit skills beyond her years.
On the Saturday she stepped up two weight divisions to box a Cork girl and once again exceeded herself to display her vast skill set and talent in front of the large crowds. Such was her high class performances she was awarded the belt for overall underage Best Female of the tournament. Cara has been working extremely hard over the past months in the club and her skill set is improving all the time. Well done to both Adam and Cara who are developing rapidly.
All Ireland Champion Breanna Johnston contested a very high calibre exhibition contest against an English ABA Champion. Breanna landed every punch in the book within one of her best displays to date. The only pity was that the contest wasn’t scored. Her skills were widely noticed and remarked upon following the contest by many in the large crowd.
Ceejay Sheelin faced an Ulster finalist in his semi-final and produced a brilliant performance to win by a unanimous decision. In the final, Ceejay faced a very strong opponent from Enniscorthy in Wexford who, in the semi-final, had stopped his opponent in the first round.
Ceejay produced another top class performance in the final landing his hard hitting backhand cross at will and won all three rounds to be crowned Monkstown International Box Cup Champion 2023. This is the first major title Ceejay has won and is testimony to his hard work and commitment.
Casey Donagh stepped up a level to box an All-Ireland finalist from Cork in the final of the Box
Cup. The first round went the way of the Cork girl and although Casey produced a better round in the second but it was edged by the Cork girl. Casey won the third round comfortably but the Cork girl won the contest. Casey gained a lot of experience and confidence from the bout as she grew into the contest, to take away the silver medal against top class opposition.
Grace Conway stepped up a division to box the Hungarian Champion and Hungry’s representative in the European Championships whose strength was apparent early in the bout. But the triple All Ireland Champion and European Silver medallist took everything she had to offer and her superior footwork, range and shaper punching skills were the difference in a top class contest. Grace was the winner on all the judges’ cards to crown her Monkstown International Box Cup Champion 2023 – great preparation for the upcoming All Ireland Senior Cadet Championships at the end of July.
New club member John Collins faced a mammoth task in his final as be boxed the English ABA Finalist. It was far too much experience to give away but in fairness to John he stood toe to toe with the English lad and had to settle for the silver medal in the end.
Last up for Tredagh was All Ireland Cadet Champion Callum Carragher who faced an English ABA Champion from Essex in what was another high calibre contest over the three rounds. Carragher had a higher boxing IQ and skill set which earned him a unanimous points decision and crowning him ‘Monkstown International Box Cup’ Champion 2023 in a very tasty performance.
All in all it was a very successful tournament for Tredagh with boxers gaining fantastic international experience and winning Three gold and two silver medals and a ‘Best Boxer of the Championships award. Massive Thank You also to all the coaches and parents who gave up their weekend to make the tournament such a success for the club.
Tredagh Boxing Academy will continue to train over the summer months and both Junior and Senior Groups are welcoming any new boxers to the group. Boxercise Classes to the public have become very popular and they will also continue on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the club. There will also be a summer camp for the younger children at the end of July (24-28th) for further details contact Padraig on 087 99 44 799.
