Gold for St Monica duo

OISIN Murphy Markey (pictured above) claimed gold in the Boy 1 31kg category on Tuesday night when he beat James Hassin from Corpus Christi BC on a 4/1 split decision.

On Wednesday night, he went on to beat Donnah McCartan from East Down BC to lift the Antrim title.

His coach James McGuinness said: “I have never witnessed a semifinal like this one on Tuesday night. Young Oisin went into the lion’s den as the championship was held in his opponent’s club. “He was trailing 4/1 after the first round and Oisin knew he had to up his game and win the next two rounds.

“The strength of character that this 11-year-old from St Peter’s primary School showed to win the next two rounds and claim gold was fantastic.”

Oisin will not forget this day after his weigh-in in Belfast at 7.30am on Wednesday morning. In the afternoon at 3pm he made his confirmation. Then onto Belfast that evening to compete in the final which went on to win.

St Monica's female boxer Lauren Smith (pictured) from Daisy Hill Road won the Antrim title by way of walk over as there was no other girls in her weight. Their coach James McGuinness went on to say ‘that both Oisin and Lauren trained very hard for this competition. The commitment they showed by turning up at the club and training five nights a week was a credit to them.

Coach Owen Murphy said the Club is delighted for Oisin and Lauren and they deserved to book their place in All Ireland Finals in Dublin on Easter week.

“It’s great to see our young coaches James McGuiness and Jamie Gray get the right results too for all their hard work and commitment training our young boxers. They are doing a fantastic job,” said Murphy.

Other news in the club, St Monica's have Liam Ward getting a call up for the Antrim Select team and travelling to France in May for a competition.

Young Daire McGuinness getting ready for the All-Ireland Cadets while James McCann is training for the U18 All-Ireland to qualify for the Europeans. Ryan Murphy is also training for the Elites.