Local boxers target Commonwealth Games places

Officials, guests and boxers pictured at Braid Boxing Club for the launch of the 2014 Ulster Elite Boxing Championships. INBT04-210AC

The quartet are putting the final touches to their preparations for the Ulster Elite Championships, the Blue Riband event for amateur fighters in this country.

As well as Ulster titles being at stake, there is also the additional incentive this year of the championships being used as part of the selection criteria for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The local contingent will consist of Anthony O’Rawe from Braid ABC and All Saints trio Steven Donnelly, Vinny Esler and Joel Scullion.

O’Rawe and Donnelly will be aiming to retain the Ulster titles they won last year,

The championships, which have received sponsorship from Unite the Union, were officially launched in Braid ABC’s clubrooms at Ballykeel last week.

“The Ulster Senior Elite championships is a fantastic tournament and the fact it is part of the selection criteria for the Commonwealth Games makes it even more so,” said Braid ABC head coach John McLeister.

“The fact the tournament was launched at our club, in this our 10th year, makes it extra special and it has been fantastic for us to have so many dignitaries of Ulster boxing here.

Weigh-ins for the championships take place this Sunday, with the preliminary bouts on the Monday. The finals will be held in the Europa Hotel on Friday, January 31.

See next week’s paper for more build-up to the Ulster championships.