Double success for St Monica's

ON Thursday in Belfast Daire McGuinness became the Northern Ireland Boys Club Champion. While on Saturday at the National Stadium in Dublin Ryan Murphy was the new National Intermediate Champion. Two great titles to have won for both boxers and the club.

Daire got the season off to a great start beating Johnathan Corcoran from Carrickmore BC on a 4/1 decision. After a convincing semifinal win over Jamie Dowds from McCullaghs BC from Belfast with a 5/0 decision Daire was up against it in the final. His coach Dessie Toman said he had to dig deep as the final was all square going into the final round. This was a great win for Daire as this was the first championship of the new season. Dessie said that he is expecting a good season ahead for Daire.

Ryan at 19yrs and the 80kg National Intermediate Champion had four fights over the last two weeks to claim the title. His coach Owen Murphy said this was one tough title to win. A lot of outstanding boxers were in it and all out to win it. Ryan had to box clever and to grind it out.

He is improving all the time. At 19-years-old he is up there with the best in the country. He has a big future ahead of him and one boxer to watch out for. The club wishes Ryan the best of luck as he is away to Italy at the end of the month to a sparring camp with the Ulster High Performance Squad.