Donnelly's title defence faces stern examination

The All Saints boxer takes on Gleann's Patrick Gallagher – a man tipped for a golden future in Irish amateur boxing – in Friday night's light-welterweight final at the Ulster Hall.

"Steven beat Gallagher in last year's final but since then, Gallagher has won an Irish under-21 title, where he was named best boxer and he has also won an award for Most Improved Boxer in Ireland," Donnelly's coach Gerry Hamill told Times Sport.

Both men were in impressive form in their semi-final victories in last week's qualifiers at Donegal Celtic FC Social Club.

Gallagher stopped James Upton in the first round of his contest with a vicious body shot which left the Holy Family boxer on the canvass for several minutes.

Donnelly, too, was in sparkling form in his semi-final, stopping Dromore's Paul Barbour in the second round of their contest.

"Steven had a fairly emphatic win and put on a great display. Even when the contest was stopped, he was 20 points to one ahead and one more point would have automatically finished it," said Gerry.

"It's an intriguing contest with him and Gallagher because Gallagher is a bull, a fighter.

"He's the sort of boxer who could be behind in a contest and then pull something out of the fire with one punch to win it.

"Steven's approach is much more about technique, he's a boxer and when a boxer meets a fighter, it always makes for a fascinating bout, with the two different styles.

"A lot of the experts fancy Gallagher to ocntinue his progress and beat Steven this time and it might well be that Steven, even as the defending champion, goes into this final as the underdog but we don't mind that at all.

"With regards to fitness, that's signed and sealed – Steven could not be any fitter. We'll continue to work hard this week on tactics because when it gets to this level, it's vitally important to get your tactics right on the night.

"There's a bus load going up from the club and Steven has also plenty of supporters of his own, so he won't be alone by any means on Friday night," added Gerry.