Navan club hosts top class event

NAVAN Boxing Club marked 10 years in existence when they held a tournament in Claremont Stadium on Saturday night. The event was compèred by legendary boxing announcer Harry McCarrick from Belfast and what was described as a 'good turnout' showed up for a competition that included a number of young boxers from a variety of clubs throughout Leinster and beyond. The tournament inspector was Leinster Boxing Council treasurer Eanna Greene. The programme of events included 17 bouts and a number of boxers from the host club achieved notable victories. The clubs taking part in the tournament included Navan, Edenderry, Geesala (Mayo) St Brigid"s (Dublin), Kilmainhamwwood & Kingscourt, Ashbourne, Clann Naofa (Dundalk) and St Broughton"s (Offaly). During the course of the evening a presentation was also made to Declan Sheridan who has been chairman of Navan Boxing Club since it was founded in 1999. The presentation were made by club coaches Neil Blaney and George Gibney. Other coaches include Donal Barrett and Bobby Molloy. Barrett, who has connections with Navan and Geesala boxing clubs, also won the World Police and Firefighters Boxing championships in 2007. Sheridan pointed out that over the last decade eight national titles have been brought back to the club. Six of those were won by Chris Blaney while Jonathan Carroll bagged two. Both Blaney and Carroll have represented Ireland. Up to 16 Leinster titles have also been claimed by Navan BC. 'It is hard to believe just how well the club has developed over the past decade,' Sheridan told the Meath Chronicle. 'We are fortunate to have very good, dedicated coaches who bring on the young boxers,' he added. The club chairman also pointed out that Navan BC have improved their facilities with a new boxing ring acquired this year with the help of grants from the National Lottery and Navan Town Council. He added that there are over 60 official members of Navan BC, but that the club was maintained because of the efforts of a dedicated group of people. He also thanked the club"s sponsors in providing valuable support. 'We are looking ahead to the next 10 years with confidence,' he added. The evening"s boxing started with three non-decision fights that included Shanna Blaney and Shannon Fox, both of Navan BC, who sparred in one bout. Blake Lacey (Navan) and Matthew McDonagh (Geesala) and Christine Watters (Navan) and Katie Rowland (Geesala). The first decision bout of the evening was in the boy two (42kg) section with Jimmy McDonagh (Clann Naofa) defeating Liam O"Donnell from the host club. The results of the Navan Boxing Club tournament were: Boy Two 42kg - Jimmy McDonagh (Clann Naofa) bt Liam O"Donnell (Navan). Boy Two 48kg - Richard O"Leary (Navan) bt Charlie McDonagh (Clann Naofa); Martin Collins (Kilmainham & Kingscourt) bt Jordan Roche (Edenderry). Boy One 42kg - Neville Giles (Navan) bt Jamie O"Connor (Edenderry); Boy One 48kg - Warren Lacey bt Gerard Coyle (Geesala). Boy Three 57kg - Alex Meiniciukas (Edenderry) bt Brian Power (Ashbourne); Gary Hand (Navan) bt Paddy McDonagh (Clann Naofa). Junior 60kg - Jonathan Carroll (Navan) bt Daniel O"Keeffe (St Broughton"s). Boy Four 70kg - Paddy McDonnell (Navan) bt Phronsias McPhaidin (Navan). Boy Four 54kg - Diego Capocci (Edenderry) bt Anthony Monaghan (Clann Naofa). Youth One 75kg - Anthony Coyle (Geesala) bt Joe Joyce (Navan). Intermediate 60kg - Bobby Molloy (Navan) bt Chris Riggs (St Brigid"s). Junior 69kg - Christopher Blaney (Navan) bt Ansur Astalv (St Brigid"s).