By Padraig Mc Cullough
Tredagh Boxing Academy (An Grianan, Termonfeckin) entered their 3 Champions into the All Ireland Cadet Championships in the National Stadium and two of them came home national champions.
This is a double aged National Championship which is used to pick the team to represent Ireland in the upcoming European Junior Championships.
First into the ring for Tredagh was Breanna Johnston whose tall, strong opponent Siofra Kenny (Wexford) came opponent. The final decision went the other way to Kenny, much to the amazement of the large crowd and Tredagh corner.
Whilst she was disappointed, Breanna has had an amazing season winning Leinster, All Ireland, Sweden Golden Girl International titles amongst many other titles this season.
Callum Carragher was next into action facing the unorthodox Christopher Nevin from the famous Monkstown Boxing Club (Dublin). With a mix of strength and skill Carragher out boxed Nevin throughout the action packed three rounds to progress to the semi-final stage of the Championships.
In her quarter final bout Tredagh’s Grace Conway faced national champion Susan, “The Warrior Princess” Barrett (Olympic Galway). Grace used all her boxing skills to win by unanimous decision to progress to the semi-final stage.
Callum boxed strongly in the semi-finals against the Dublin Champion Sam Bereton (Swords Boxing Club) and, after a masterclass performance of skill, timing and precision power punching, marched on to the National Final.
In her semi-final Gracie Conway faced triple All-Ireland Champion Tegan Farrrelly (Dunboyne Boxing Club) who was a weight above her in their All Ireland age group championships.
This was an eagerly awaited final which didn’t disappoint. Grace once again displayed a masterclass performance of distance, range, angles with precise punching combinations to win by unanimous decision against the highly rated to book her place in the National Final.
Grace Conway was the first of the Tredagh fighers to enter the ring on finals day of the All Ireland Cadet Championships boxing against Codie Killgannon (Sligo) the Champion of an age group above her.
Grace produced another masterclass of three outstanding rounds. From the bell, she boxed the perfect tactical fight maximising her range to land her peppering Jab and backhand cross. She mixed it up perfectly to start with her backhand at the right distance followed by an array of combinations to halt Killgannon’s attacks.
Her footwork was exquisite as she moved forward and back, left and right, using angles which had her opponent dazzled and the spectators dizzy while combining the perfect punch combinations to land at will throughout the bout. The final verdict was a unanimous points decision to crown Gracie “Pacie” Conway – All Ireland Cadet Champion.
What’s amazing about this achievement is that she can box again in the same competition next year as she is the younger girl in this double aged Championships. This is also her first ever year of competitive boxing during which she has already won her second All Ireland since January. She now books her seat on the plane to the European Championships in Italy in September and will now commence training in the National High Performance Squad in Dublin with all the winners.
When Callum Carragher climbed into the ring for his match with Double All-Ireland Champion Danny O Reilly (St Pauls, Limerick), the stage was set for another showdown and it didn’t disappoint.
From the opening bell it was action all the way as the two hungry warriors went to war. Callum not only displayed immense technical skills against his Southpaw counterpart but also combined his aggressive hard-hitting combinations.
As the rounds progressed it became apparent that Callum was too strong and technical for the Double All Ireland Champion. His sharp hard hitting aggressive counter punching jabs, hooks and backhand crosses (and over the top) were landing with precise timing and range.
He cut the ring off and closed the distance to elite level to leave his opponent no option but to feel the wrath of his power. His inside work, combining his uppercuts and short hooks, were proving stronger, faster and superior for O Reilly.
The final verdict was a decisive points decision to crown Callum “Cobra” Carragher All Ireland (double aged) Cadet Champion.
This young warrior has endured some bad decisions over the years but that has only made him stronger and hungrier to develop his winning mentality. He now books his seat on the plane to the European Championships in Italy in October.
These young boxers are the first Tredagh Boxers to win Cadet Titles and represent their country. In a record breaking year for the club Tredagh Boxing Academy have tallied up seven All Ireland Champions and two Silver medalists along with record breaking success in Leinster Championships, International competitions in Sweden, England and International Box Cups.
The club run a number of classes from 7 years to Senior level and also Boxercise classes to the public. For further details visit our Facebook page or call 087 9944 799.
