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McLaughlin goes for National Title
17.02.09
Illies Golden Gloves
boxer faces Dungloe boxer in Friday’s final
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
ILLIES Golden Gloves boxer William McLaughlin is
just one fight away from becoming a national senior
champion for the first time after reaching the
welterweight final at the National Elite Senior
Championships.
The 23 year old former Ulster Senior champion
reached the final after a thrilling 7-5 win over
Athy’s Roy Sheehan, a four in a row national champ
at this weight.
McLaughlin lost out to Sheehan in last year’s
semi-final but it was the Illies man who came out on
top at the National Stadium this year after a
composed display.
Following a low scoring first round that ended with
both boxers earning one point apiece, McLaughlin
went on the offensive in the second round and did
enough to put some daylight between himself and the
former European Champion. |
McLaughlin now faces
Dungloe boxer Cathal McCauley in this Friday
evening’s final. The pair never met before, although
William’s brother, Andrew, crossed paths with
McCauley at junior level.
William is aiming to bring the first National Senior
title back to Illies Golden Gloves in the ten-year
history of the club. He has shown in the past that
he’s a fighter who is not daunted by the big
occasion and there is every reason to believe he can
take the next step |
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in his amateur career
by winning on Friday.
Stephen O’Reilly of Twin Towns makes it a trio of
Donegal boxers to make national finals. Following a
9-2 victory over Athy’s David Joyce, O’Neill goes in
the middleweight decider against Darren O’Nelll from
Paulstown.
Meanwhile in his first taste of the Elite Senior
Championships, McLaughlin’s Golden Gloves club mate
Tyrone McCullough put in a creditable performance in
his bantamweight semi-final, going down 16-6 to the
experience John Joe Nevin.
Another boxer who put in a great showing at the
National Championships was Carndonagh’s Michael
McLaughlin, who was defeated by 2008 Irish Olympian
John Joe Joyce after seeing off James McDonagh in
his 64kg quarter final a week ago.
Michael McLaughlin returns to action with his club
on Sunday to face Paddy Gallagher in Carndonagh
ABC’s tournament at the Ballyliffin Hotel.
The finals, which feature Olympic silver medallist
Kenny Egan in the light heavyweight division, will
be televised on RTE. If you would like to be there
in person to cheer William the Illies Golden Gloves
club are advising you phone ahead for tickets to
014533371, the main National Stadium number. |
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