Inaugural YFC boxing event proves a knockout success

The would-be pugilists had been training for several weeks under the watchful eye of the coaching staff of All Saints Boxing Club.

Chief organiser Kevin Gribben did a brilliant job pairing off these young ladies and gentlemen in what can only be described as a night of great entertainment.

The Gillespie brothers from Randalstown had mixed fortunes, with Jonathan out pointing Holestowns Dan McAulley and younger brother Andrew losing out to Richard Fleming of Straid in a hard fought but sporting contest.

Sam Bellingham came back well to see off Lee Bore, the Liverpool pig farmer guesting for Co. Antrim.

Next in were two from the fairer sex with the Teresa Connon boxing well to orders to out point farmers daughter Hannah Currie.

These two ladies would be equally at home on the catwalk, as would Kells and Conners Stephanie Wylie and Nicole McConnell.

An exhausted Nicole said afterwards: “I could hear my boyfriend Philip in the background cheering me on.

“I just hope his throat is not as sore as my arms!” added Nicole.

Gallaher fitter Ian Irwin pipped twenty two year old joiner Peter McWhitter by a whisker, while Lisnamurricans Chrissy McMaster edged out Mark Murphy from Straid.

Randlestown builder Denver Mills hit too hard for Straids Craig Agnew.

In the final war of the night twenty eight year old dairy farmer Sam Dunlop got the nod over Jack Goudy, but it was mighty close at the end.

There were also All Saints boxers in competitive action slightly further afield and trainer Dermot Hamill had mixed fortunes in Dublin, Tyler McMullan losing the first round rallied well to nick the second and win the third. This week he tangles with Michael Kinsella from St. Anthonys Dublin in the quarter-finals

Clubmate Tom Stokes went out on another split decision, but the experience he is getting is invaluable said his upbeat trainer.