Report by Padraig McCullough
Having entered three boxers in the recent Boy 1/2/3 Leinster Championships in Enniscorthy, Tredagh Boxing Academy came away with two golds and a silver while Keith “Minty” Muma and Michael James Mc Donagh went on to become All-Ireland Champions.
In the Semi Finals Vinny ‘Fearsome’ Devine boxing at Boy 2 had a very strong display to stop his opponent Gerard Donaghue (Portlaoise Boxing Club) in the first round and book his place in the final of the championships.
Next up was “Chewing Gum” Keith “Minty” Muma also boxing at Boy 2 in his weight category in the semi-final stage. Keith boxed a strong come forward boxer from St. Brigids in Kildare. Keith used his boxing skills to keep at range, winning all three rounds decisively and book his place in the Leinster final.
In the final “Minty” boxed James Mc Donagh from Cloghan Boxing Club in Offaly who came out with all guns blazing. But “Minty” stayed composed to find his range and force the referee to give his opponent a standing count in the first round. The second round saw “Minty” take total control to land his trademark hard hitting back hand to force another standing count with the referee calling a halt to proceedings and crowning “Minty” Boy 2 Leinster Champion.
Devine faced John Nevin from Rudicus Boxing Club in Longford In his Leinster final. Both lads had successes in each round showing great boxing skills. At the final bell though, it was the Longford man who got the nod in a bout that could have gone either way. Hats off to Vinny who has been putting in a lot of hard work and his technique and his skill sets are clearly getting better all the time with Vinny winning the silver Leinster medal on this occasion.
Michael James Mc Donagh was also Crowned Leinster Champion. Well Done Michael James. From the three boys entered, the club came home to two golds and a silver. But most importantly, at their age, is the performances were very good and they are all progressing exceptionally. Both Keith and Michael James progressed as the Leinster representatives in the All Ireland Championships the week following.
In the All Ireland Quarter final at the National Stadium, “Minty” Muma boxed the experienced Connaught Champion Andrew Sweeney from Olympic Boxing Club in Galway who came at “Minty” throughout the bout but “Minty’s” fast feet, effective jab and powerful backhand crosses were too much for Sweeney. The final verdict was a unanimous decision to “Chewing Gum” Keith where he marched on to the Semi Finals of the Nationals.
In the All Ireland Semi Final “Minty” boxed the Munster Champion Timmy Gray from St Paul’s Boxing Club. The stylish Gray who had looked very impressive in his Quarter final. The first round saw both lads boxing at range trying to get the measure of each other.
In rounds 2 & 3 however, “Minty” changed tactics and cut the large ring down very professionally and landed supreme combinations including pristine backhand uppercuts, and his signature hard hitting back hand cross. The final verdict was a unanimous decision giving “Chewing Gum” Keith his ticket to the All-Ireland Final in the National Stadium.
In the final Keith faced Northern Ireland Champion – Pádraig Walsh from Immaculata (Belfast) in one of the most eagerly anticipated finals of the Championships. It did not disappoint.
Walsh pressed forward from the bell but “Minty” used his exquisite footwork to keep his range, change the angles to make space, step back at the right times to catch Walsh with some perfectly timed jabs and hard hitting backhand crosses.
It was a close round but the cleaner precision shots were coming from the Tredagh man. Round two saw a more urgent Walsh who set a very high tempo from the outset… “Chewing Gum” Keith politely responded with a litany of technically crafted combinations. Using the full ‘tool bag’ of skills Keith became the aggressor at just the right time with some beautiful 4 & 5 punch combinations.
This was a fantastic round for Keith and in the final round the large Stadium crowd were on their feet as Walsh threw the kitchen sink at Minty. Both boys dug deep to reach their ultimate dream as they punched from ‘bell to bell’.
It was a total punch fest but Minty’s Chewing Gum flavour shone through in what was one of the fights of the Championships but the final verdict was another unanimous decision which made “Chewing Gum” Keith “Minty” Muma King and Boy 2 Champion of Ireland.
Overall it was simply a “Minty” performance and this Young vibrant / Clogherhead man is certainly one to watch for the future. “Minty” now books his place on the National Ireland Juvenile High Performance Team. In one season he has won Louth Open, Leinster V Dublin Interprovincial, Leinster Michael Andrews, Armagh / Down Open, Leinster & All Ireland Championship titles.
Also crowned All Ireland Boy 1 Champion over the two weekends was Michael James Mc Donagh and he also has booked his place on the National Ireland Juvenile High Performance Team. The boys were joined in the celebrations by a large supporting Tredagh crowd who let their voices and delight be heard throughout the championships.
