Tredagh Boxing Academy entered seven boxers into the recent Leinster Boy / Girl 1-2-3 Boxing Championships which were held in Enniscorthy Wexford, all of whom represented their club and County with prestige and honour.
At the quarter final stages Cormac Kelly outboxed Oisin Roache (Ryston Boxing Club Kildare) to take a unanimous points decision to progress to the semifinal stages.
Ceejay Sheelin also impressed in his quarter final to take all three rounds and win unanimously against Adam Mc Cann (Ardee Boxing Club).
There was a convincing win for Andrew Mathews also against Oran Bolland (East Meath Boxing Club) to take a unanimous decision.
Charlie Flanagan also boxed very well to win unanimously against Davin Mannion (Ardee Boxing Club) with all 4 lads progressing to the Quarter Finals.
In the semifinals Vinny Divine was very unlucky to lose on a split decision to James Donnelly (Holy Family) in a bout that could have gone either way.
Cormac Kelly was also on the wrong side of the dreaded split decision in his semifinal to Paudie Bernie (Gorey) Both lads boxed extremely well.
Ceejay Sheelin was very impressive in his win against Evan Hazlett (Holy Family) to book his place in the finals.
Andrew Matthews also produced a fantastic display of boxing skills to take a unanimous decision against Adam Carroll (Rathoath Boxing Club).
Charlie Flanagan proved too strong for his opponent Miroslav Holtsov (Marble City Boxing Club, Kilkenny) stopping his opponent in the second round with hard hitting back hands and marching on to book his place in the final.
In the finals Casey Donagh boxed very well for her first Leinster Championships but was beaten by the more experienced Ruby Walsh (East Meath Boxing Club).
Ceejay Sheelin came up against Tommy Brown (Setanta Boxing Club Kildare) who was recently crowned ‘King of the Ring’ Champion in Sweden. It was a cracker of a final with Brown taking a split decision on the judges cards by the narrowest of margins.
Next up was Andrew Mathews who boxed a dominant technical three rounds against Martin Mc Donagh (Dunboyne Boxing Club) to take all three rounds and win by unanimous decision and be crowned Leinster Champion.
Charlie Flanagan boxed Adam Delaney (Marble City Boxing Club Kilkenny) in what was another cracking contest but was edged out on a close split decision. The Tredagh corner thought Charlie had done enough to win but it was very close.
Last up for Tredagh was current Irish Champion Michael James Mc Donagh who boxed Rhys Johnston (St. Josephs) Wicklow in an exciting three rounder. Michael James was very strong throughout and earned himself a unanimous decision to be crowned Leinster Champion.
All in all it was a fantastic Leinster Championships for Tredagh Boxing Academy who won two gold and three silver medals over the two weekends.
A bit of Tredagh nostalgia was created when Andrew “Young Socks” Mathews lifted the Leinster Title. Andrew is the great grand nephew of the Town’s famous Tony “Socks” Byrne on his mother’s side. On his dad’s side he is first cousin of current All Ireland Champion Breanna Johnston.
Unfortunately, Keith Muma (Last year’s All Ireland Champion) was injured for these Championships and missed out on defending his Leinster Title.
Andrew and Michael James will now join Breanna Johnston & Grace Conway who won their Leinster Championships earlier in 2023 in the older age bracket and also Keith Muma who is last year’s defending Champion in the upcoming All Ireland Championships. Well Done to all the boxers who competed.
Breanna Johnston and Grace Conway boxed in the prestigious Dublin v England Team held last week in the Ringside Club at the National Stadium.
Breanna boxed an exhibition against a fellow Irish Champion from Dublin. Grace boxed current European Champion and two time English ABA champion Roanna Bycroft.
Grace is also a reigning European silver medalist and one of the most highly anticipated contests of the tournament lived up to all expectations with both girls going toe to toe for the three rounds.
In the end Grace was triumphant, winning the contest with her masterful footwork and hard-hitting combinations which drew blood from the European Champion. This was great preparation for both girls before their upcoming All Ireland Championships next week where both will be defending their crowns.
