Success for Ballymote boxer

On Saturday night last in the National Boxing Stadium , John Tighe
from Ballymote won the final of the open youth competition . In his
first fight on Friday he boxed Irish champion Sean Thornton from the
Delgan boxing club , who also happened to be the favourite for the
tournament. The fight started at a fast pace with the Delgan boxer
pressing forward ,but he was no match for the speed and power of Tighe
who scored well with head and body shots. The Ballymote man stuck to
the plan for the next two rounds and won the bout 7 points to 0
In the final he took on Karl o Donnell from the St Lukes
Boxing club. O Donnell the taller and heavier boxer tried to break the
defence of the Sligo lad with long straight punches and in doing so
left himself open to the overhand rights of Tighe. O Donnell now behind
had no choice but to press forward and only dug himself in deeper and
the Ballymote boxer cruised to victory.
This competition was a selection process fro the world
youth championships which take place in april with a possibility of
qualifying for the junior Olympics . If present form continues there
will be great days ahead for this talented young man.

In other boxing news Dermott Casey also from Ballymote has been
selected to represent his country as a judge in international
competition at the BrandenBurg Cup in Germany on the 16 February next.
Dermott has being judging at national level for several years and has
established himself as one of the country’s best.

Maria Faney and Mairead Keane will take part in the mayo open finals
Sunday next while the big men Alan Reynolds and Chris Devaney set
their sights on senior glory on the 19th February next. Their training
is in full swing with both lads training five days a week twice daily.