1980

1 Gerry Hawkins: 1980 Irish Senior Light-Flyweight Champion

Final: March 7 1980: Gerry Hawkins beat Hugh Russell (Holy Family, Belfast) KO1 

Gerry caused a sensation by knocking out strong favourite Hugh Russell. Gerry, who sustained a points’ defeat in the recent Ulster finals by the superbly-talented Russell, exploded with two looping rights to Russell’s head midway through the first. 

The first right shot completely toppled the Holy Family man who got to his feet and took a standing count of eight. Just after they resumed action, Gerry was again on target with a similar piledriver and southpaw Russell was counted out on his feet by Dublin referee George Peters.

Punchlines: Despite the shock of the Irish finals defeat Hugh Russell bounced back with a brilliant Olympic flyweight bronze medal at the Moscow Games just months later. 

Ireland’s Olympic team in Moscow also featured Gerry Hawkins, Phil Sutcliffe, Sean Doyle, Barry McGuigan, Martin Brereton and PJ Davitt.

Other Ulster winners at the National finals in Dublin included St Anthony’s, Larne flyweight and future world pro champion Dave (Boy) McAuley who outpointed Jimmy Carson (Holy Family) and among the Ulster runners-up in that Olympic year were Smithboro super-heavyweight Frank Lambe and feather Barry McGuigan, who had to withdraw from his final decider against Mick Holmes because of a hand injury. 

A memorable hat-trick was recorded that night at the National Stadium when the Christle brothers from Dublin, Terry, Joe and Mel, all claimed Irish titles.

1981

2 Damien Fryers: 1981 Irish Senior Lightweight Champion

Semi-final: Damien Fryers beat T Dowdall (Transport) RTD 2

Semi-final: Dougie Adams beat Paul Larkin (Transport)

Damien who featured in an explosive bout with Barry McGuigan in the Ulster featherweight final in February stopped Tommy Dowdall in two rounds in one semi-final while his Holy Trinity clubmate, Dougie Adams, shocked international Paul Larkin in the other on a blistering National Stadium bill. Damien thrived on body punching and it was two of these hooks to the ribs that ended the hopes of Dubliner Dowdall in the second. Dougie Adams had outpointed the highly-fancied Larkin in the other semi-final in Dublin on Friday March 20 1981.

Final: March 27 1981: Damien Fryers beat Dougie Adams (Holy Trinity) RSC1 

This was Dougie’s second Irish final appearance having made the decider in 1978 with Corpus Christi ABC, Belfast. Damien caught the Ballymurphy man cold with a flashing left hook to the head after only 65 seconds.

The referee allowed the bout to resume after the count before the contest was officially stopped.

3 Raymond Bell 1981 Irish Senior Light-Middleweight Champion

Semi-final: Raymond Bell beat John Keenan (Portlaoise) pts

Raymond’s win over John Keenan (Portlaoise) suggested that he could win the Irish title. He put some powerful combinations of punches together especially in the final round and got the nod from four of the judges.

Final: March 27 1981: Raymond Bell beat Brian Byrne (Transport & Garda) pts

Raymond, soon after his loss in the Ulster finals by Tommy Corr, went in against former international Byrne who was seeking his sixth national senior title. 

Raymond upped the tempo in the last, his right hand a deciding factor, to sway it in his favour.

Punchlines: Club history was made that March evening in 1981 with Holy Trinity capturing the Best Club award with two winners Raymond Bell and Damien Fryers and one runner-up, Dougie Adams. 

Derry light fly Gerard Duddy (Rosemount), bantam Roy Webb (Holy Family) and Oliver Plunkett light-welter legend Danny McAllister were among the other Ulster winners that night.

So too were White City ringmaster Kenny Beattie (welter) and Moscow Olympic bronze medal winner Hugh Russell (Holy Family) who denied Larne lad Dave McAuley at fly. 

At feather Steven Hanna (Oliver Plunkett) was outpointed for the top honours as was heavyweight Bob Coulter (Donaghadee). 

1982

4 David Irving: 1982 Irish Senior Light-Welterweight Champion

Quarter-final: David Irving beat P Murray (Ardnaree) RSC1

David had a great start to his Irish title quest, stopping Ardnaree’s Pa Murray in the first round to advance to the last four stages.

Semi-final: David, an Ulster title winner at the third time of asking, kept us his superb form, knocking out Peter Murphy to advance to the final deciders.

Final: March 27 1982: David Irving beat Martin Brereton (Edenderry) pts

David weathered Martin Brereton’s best southpaw left to come back and swing the fight his way in the latter part of the second round and again in the third. 

It was desperately close although Brereton, a junior European bronze medallist, was under pressure towards the end.

Punchlines: Title holders and clubmates Gerry Hawkins and Damien Fryers were both beaten on majority points decisions on the same night. Gerry lost in an all-Belfast light fly tussle with Beechmount’s Alex O’Neill while Damien lost to Patsy Ormond of Donore, Dublin at lightweight. Derry fly Gerry Duddy, welter Kenny Beattie (White City), light middle Tommy Corr (Clonoe) and Eamonn Coyle (Letterkenny) were the other men to take titles north.

1983

5 Gerry Hawkins: 1983 Irish Senior Light-Flyweight Champion

Final: March 25 1983: Gerry, who had lifted his second Ulster Senior title that year, added the Irish crown on a walkover with no other entry in this division.

Punchlines: Alex O’Neill (now with Holy Trinity) lost 4-1 on points to Gerry Duddy (Rosemount, Derry) at flyweight in an all-Ulster clash which was a repeat of the 1982 Ulster senior final. 

Other Ulster winners were boxing-clever feather Roy Webb (Holy Family), explosive lightweight Tony Dunlop (Holy Family) and Tommy Corr (Clonoe light-middle). 

Brothers Sam and Gerry Storey made it five finalists on the night for the Holy Family club but both had to settle for second place, injury ruling Sam out before the light middle decider and Gerry going down to Tony de Loughrey at light-heavy.

1984

6 Gerry Hawkins: 1984 Irish Senior Light-Flyweight Champion

Final: March 23 1984: Gerry Hawkins beat Mark Owens (St Mary’s, Derry) KO 1

This all-Ulster clash was a repeat of the Ulster final. 

Gerry was the quickest winner on the night and the only one to score through the knockout route when flooring Mark Owens (St Mary’s Derry) with a perfect right to the chin after only 45 seconds. Owens got to his feet but was counted out.

Punchlines: Derry boxing retained the Irish flyweight title through the tough Sean Casey (Rock ABC) but fellow Derry man Roy Nash lost out in the bantam final to the great Phil Sutcliffe. 

Belfast challengers Sean McCormack (Newhill lightweight), welterweight Brendan O’Hara (St Malachy’s / St George’s) and Clonoe middleweight southpaw Tommy Corr went close but had to settle for second. Ulster finished with four winners on the night.

Sam Storey (Holy Family) at light-middle and Noel Magee (Sacred Heart) joined the other pair of Belfast titleholders, Magee defeating the rugged Steve Collins (St Saviour’s, Dublin), who would go on to dominate the world pro ranks.

1985

7 Damien Denny: 1985 Irish Senior Light-Welterweight Champion

Final: March 22 1985: Damien Denny beat Billy Walsh (St Joseph’s, Wexford) RSC2

Damien stopped title holder Walsh in the second round; Damien won the Ulster senior and junior titles earlier in the year. 

He opened up on the strong Wexford man after a minute of the second round and rocked him with a sharp right to the head. 

When Billy Walsh survived the count he got another count, this time from a solid left right on target. The referee allowed them to continue but when Walsh was forced back on the ropes towards his own corner the ref had no option but to stop it.

Punchlines: The best boxer of the Irish Championships award went to Damien Denny. 

Derry’s defending champion Sean Casey, from the Rock, retained his flyweight title with a 3-2 decision over Gerry Hawkins, before taking European bronze medal two months later for Ireland in Budapest. Gerry had moved up from light-flyweight to fly for the Irish challenge. 

In the semi he outpointed Mark Owens of Phoenix, Derry to reach the final on a 4-1 verdict. 

Neil Duddy (Phoenix, Derry) lifted the light-fly title while Brendan Lowe and Sam Storey (both Holy Family), took lightweight and middleweight honours for the north Belfast club, Sam following in Noel Magee’s footsteps from the year before to defeat teak-tough Steve Collins (St Saviour’s, Dublin). 

Top Ulster fighters Roy Nash (St Mary’s, Derry, feather) and Brendan O’Hara (St George’s, welter) again finished runner-up on the night. 

1986

8 Damien Denny: 1986 Irish Senior Welterweight Champion

Semi-final: Damien Denny stopped Eamon John Considine (Triumph) in three rounds (RSC3) to reach the final. Damien stalked his man exuding confidence and finally flattened him with a superb double hook in the third round.

Final: March 14 1986: Damien Denny beat Billy Walsh (St Joseph’s, Wexford) pts 5-0

Damien’s classical left jabbing and hooking dominated this fight and the judges’ decision was unanimous: 59-58 four times and a 60-57.

Punchlines: Ballyclare’s devastating puncher Johnston Todd took the short route to victory once again, ending the light-fly bout in the opening round. 

Other Ulster winners on the night were wiry bantam John Lowey (Ledley Hall), who outscored Dublin star Phil Sutcliffe (Drimnagh), and super-heavy Alan Owens (Antrim), who took the decision out of the judges’ hands with a third-round KO of John Magee (Tramore). 

Billy Walsh edged out Damien Denny in the Irish final the following year, March 20 1987, and at light-welter Gordon Joyce scored a points decision over Denny’s Trinity team-mate Brendan Lowe.

1989

9 John Erskine: 1989 Irish Senior Lightweight Champion

Quarter final: John Erskine beat Neil Gough (St Paul’s, Waterford) pts 4-1 

Great win for the determined Turf Lodge lightweight. Gough would go on to contest nine Irish Senior finals in total, winning seven, but the Trinity terrier was up to the mark that night. 

Semi-final: John Erskine beat Brian Geraghty (Mount Tallant)

John had it a lot more difficult this time, down for a standing count in the first round, but with his remarkable powers of recovery, used his long, left lead to virtually dominate the bout. 

In the other lightweight semi-final clubmate Charlie Brown KO’D Anthony McKeown (Longford), a vicious jab to the ribs doing the business in one minute 40 seconds.

Final: March 3 1989: John Erskine beat Charlie Brown (Holy Trinity) pts 4-1

Two Trinity clubmates, who grew up in neighbouring streets in Turf Lodge, now faced each other for the Irish title prize. 

Charlie, whose lean frame concealed wicked punching power had taken the Ulster 60kg crown the previous month in Belfast, John had lost his Ulster light-welter title to Trinity clubmate Eddie Fisher – but the national honours were to be John Erskine’s. 

After an absorbing Irish decider at the Stadium in Dublin, John’s persistent, business-like approach registered a 4-1 win over his hard-hitting clubmate. 

10 Eddie Fisher: 1989 Irish Senior Light-Welterweight Champion

Semi-final: Eddie Fisher beat N McAvoy (CIE) RSC3

An inside-the-distance win made people sit up and take notice and catapulted Eddie into a final showdown with Wexford favourite Sylvie Furlong 

Final: March 3 1989: Eddie Fisher beat Sylvie Furlong (St Michael’s, Wexford) pts 3-2

Eddie had a formidable opponent in Sylvie Furlong but performed with great composure, generally on the counter punch to secure a 3-2 decision. 

One of the judges gave it to the Wexford man 60-56 and another went 59-58 for the him, but fortunately for Eddie the other three went 59-58 for the Holy Trinity boxer. 

Eddie dealt with everything that was thrown at him with skill and countered beautifully with some of the best left hooks of the night.

11 Joe Lowe: 1989 Irish Senior Welterweight Champion

Semi-final: Joe Lowe beat John McCann (CIE) RSC1

Joe, who had contested the 1988 Irish Senior final losing out to Billy Walsh (St Joseph’s, Wexford), showed he meant to go one better this time around, the power of his punching hammering out a KO win over John McCann (CIE) after only 80 seconds.

Final: March 3 1989: Joe Lowe beat Jim Webb (Oliver Plunkett) pts 5-0

Joe confirmed his superiority following his Ulster Championship win, getting the nod from all five judges. 

Joe had taken victory and a 4-1 decision over the Plunkett man in the Ulster final the month before. Three of the judges went 60-56 and the other 60-57 after a very competitive scrap in Dublin during which Jim Webb piled on the pressure, forcing the pace of the bout. 

Punchlines: Historic treble for Trinity. Leading the way in Dublin, Holy Trinity took three of the five Irish Senior titles that came north in 1989. Four boxers (three winners and one runner-up in Charlie Brown) represented the club that night and together they won the Best Club award. Eddie added to his Ulster victory by taking the Irish crown and was voted the Best Boxer of the night. 

This was the first time that the Belfast club had captured three All-Ireland senior titles on the one night, let alone best individual and club accolades as well. 

Eleven Ulster men were in action that Friday March 3 night, including beaten finalists light-fly Chris Notarantonio (Newhill), feather Seamus Deeds (Oliver Plunkett), Jim Webb (Oliver Plunkett) and Immaculata light-middle Paul McCullagh. 

Roy Nash, nephew of the great Charlie Nash, topped the bantam division, outpointing super-strong southpaw Paul Ireland (St Malachy’s/St George’s) in an all-Ulster final. Big Paul Douglas (Holy Family) claimed the super-heavy award to add to his Ulster title that year. 

1990

12 John Erskine: 1990 Irish Senior Lightweight Champion

Quarter-final: John Erskine beat Phil Thompson (Transport) pts

Semi-final: John Erskine beat Brian Geraghty (Mount Tallant) pts

Final: March 23 1990: John Erskine beat John McEvoy (Edenmore, Dublin) pts

With two good wins under his belt, one against the much-fancied Brian Geraghty, John Erskine strode confidently into the final decider and proved a unanimous winner on the night to record back-to-back Irish title triumphs.

John McEvoy had beaten Eddie Bolger in the semis the week before.

13 Eddie Fisher: 1990 Irish Senior Welterweight Champion

Semi-final: Belfast boxers, Eddie Fisher and Eamonn Magee, ousted cross-channel entries on points: Eddie beating Robert Edwards (Small Heath) on points and Eamonn defeating Peter Mulcahy (West Ham).

Final: March 23 1990: Eddie Fisher beat Eamonn Magee (Sacred Heart, Belfast) pts 3-2

The centre of National Stadium attention that night was this highly-competitive all-Belfast clash for the welter final, a rematch of the gripping Ulster final which skilful southpaw Eamonn Magee had narrowly lost on a 3-2 verdict.

After a rousing scrap, both boxers roared on by their passionate supporters, Eddie maintained his winning run with another 3-2 decision.

Eddie had also been voted Best Boxer in the Ulster Seniors for the past two years and had also captured the Irish title in 1989.

Punchlines: John Erskine’s win was the fifth title for Ulster boxers that evening and his second Irish title on the trot. Cairn Lodge box/fighter Tommy Waite opened up the score for Ulster that night by taking the light-fly crown and was soon followed in the gold medal position by perpetual-motion man Wayne McCullough (Albert Foundry). Ballyclare wrecking ball Johnston Todd (Holy Family Golden Gloves) kept the ball rolling in the bantamweight decider stopping Darndale digger Joe Lawlor inside two rounds. Roy Nash (Ring, Derry) was in through the ropes next and didn’t disappoint either defeating Dubliner Paul Griffin (Drimnagh).

Ulster boxers also registered wins in the heavier middle and super-heavy divisions with Pat McKay (Rathfriland) and Paul Douglas (Holy Family) doing the business. Gifted boxer Billy Boyd (Holy Family) lost out at light-welter to future Barcelona Olympic champion Michael Carruth (Drimnagh). Immaculata’s big-punching Liam Mervyn lost out to Wexford heavyweight Jim O’Sullivan, who lifted his 10th Elite title that night in a run stretching from 1980. Only 1983 evaded him, O’Sullivan unable to compete that year through injury.

1991

14 Joe Lowe 1991 Irish Senior Light-Middleweight Champion

Semi-final: Joe Lowe bt Paul Herlihy (Fermoy)

The Andersonstown tactician saw off the challenge of Paul Herlihy of Fermoy to set up a final encounter with another tough Cork man, Gordon Joyce.

Final: April 5 1991: Joe Lowe beat Gordon Joyce (Sunnyside, Cork) pts 3-2

Having disposed of a tough Cork opponent in the semi, Joe was faced with the pride of the Rebel county Gordon Joyce, a towering boxer from a great fighting family. 

But the stylish Trinity boxer proved a cut above his final opposition, lightning fast hands and fleet of foot allied to a computer boxing brain, helping him to a fine points triumph.

Punchlines: Eddie Fisher beat Mick McBride (Edenderry) in the welterweight semi-final but was unable to compete against Billy Walsh (St Ibar’s, Wexford) in the final through injury. 

Paul Ireland (St Malachy’s/ St George’s light), who got the better of dedicated Holy Family man Seamus McCann, while hard-hitting Mark Delaney (Ledley Hall) grabbed the middleweight honours.

But Paul Griffin turned the tables on 1990 champ Roy Nash (Ring, Derry) and Chris Cullen (Clonoe) was outpointed by the man with dynamite in his fists, Denis Galvin (Moate).

1992

15 Joe Lowe: 1992 Irish Senior Light-Middleweight Champion

Semi-final: Joe Lowe beat Alan Wilton (Ledley Hall) (20-8)

Joe defeated fellow-Belfast man Alan Wilton to advance to the finals. 

Wilton, a tough, solid fighter from the Ledley Hall, ABC in east Belfast, tried hard to nail down the Trinity man but couldn’t match the boxing artistry and accuracy of his opponent, who took a 20-8 winner decision at the final bell.

Final: January 17 1992: Joe Lowe beat Gordon Joyce (Sunnyside, Cork) pts 14-10

Joe successfully defended his Irish Senior title against the same rival he outpointed in last year’s decider. 

Joe conceded height and reach advantage to the Sunnyside man but was always in control with superb counterpunching skills and clever footwork.

16 Mark Delaney: 1992 Irish Senior Light-Heavyweight Champion

Semi-final: Mark Delaney beat Dan Griffin (Drimnagh) RSC1

Mark stopped his man, Dan Griffin, a Kerry light-heavy boxing out of the Drimnagh club, within 50 seconds. A crunching left hook did the damage.

Final: January 17 1992: Mark Delaney beat Ger Lawlor (Paulstown) pts 18-12

The final showdown proved a rough-house affair with great strength and determination demonstrated in the challenge for Irish honours. 

The Trinity man stood up well under Lawlor’s attacks, launching his own big guns to take the 81 kilos crown. 

Mark had six points to spare at the final bell.

Punchlines: Teenage Holy Trinity clubmate Damaen Kelly (18) lost out in the final to the seasoned craft of the defending champion, Paul Buttimer (Sunnyside), a real veteran of the amateur game. 

In the semis, Damaen outpointed Gary Griffin (Drimnagh) 16-4 after his last-eight win over Donald Hosford (Greenmount, Cork). 

The experienced Buttimer would go on to represent Ireland at the Barcelona Olympics that year. Damaen, then aged just 18, put the disappointment of the final defeat behind him and would also gain Olympic selection later in his career. 

Other Ulster finalists included winners Wayne McCullough (Albert Foundry bantam), Mark Winters (Antrim lightweight), Eamonn Magee (Sacred Heart light-welter), Kevin McBride (Smithboro), the man who would end devastating puncher Mike Tyson’s career in the pro ranks on an unforgettable night in June 2005. 

Tony ‘Chip’ Currie (St Agnes) beat Ulster champ Paul Douglas (Holy Family Golden Gloves) 14-11 to lift the Irish heavyweight honours while Chris Notarantonio (Newhill feather), Paul Ireland (St Malachy’s/ St George’s lightweight) and Colin Robinson (Antrim super-heavy) all had to settle for second places.

 

 

1993

17 Damaen Kelly: 1993 Irish Senior Flyweight Champion

Semi-final: Damaen Kelly beat Damien McKenna (Holy Family, Drogheda) pts 9-5

Damaen showed he was a rising star of Irish boxing with this computer points victory over a very capable opponent, four points separating the pair at National Stadium in Dublin.

Final: January 29 1993: Damaen Kelly beat Donal Hosford (Greenmount, Cork) pts 24-5

Damaen boxed cleverly, scoring with solid lefts and then moving fast, forcing Donal Hosford (Greenmount) to chase the bout. 

Few could master Damaen in the form he was in that night, the superior ring craft and speed of punching carving out an Irish Championship triumph for the Turf Lodge ringmaster and a berth at the World Championships in May that year in Tampere, Finland. 

There he would win bronze, beaten by Cuban great Waldemar Font. Damaen reversed that decision in Dublin the following year.

(See 1994 details below)

18 Jim Webb: 1993 Irish Senior Light-Middleweight Champion

Semi-final: Jim Webb beat H Flannery (Ennis) 25-6

Final: January 29 1993: Jim Webb beat Anthony McFadden (Dunfanaghy) pts 16-8

The tough Donegal man was many people’s favourite for the light-middleweight title but they didn’t reckon on a great display of controlled aggression and neat boxing by Jim Webb. 

With eight points to spare at the final bell, and following an emphatic semi-final win, Jim stood proud as Irish Senior champion for 1993.

Punchlines: Eddie Fisher lost to Neil Gough (St Paul’s, Waterford) pts (12-9) in the welterweight final. In the semi-final, Eddie had defeated Tommy Lawlor (Kilcullen) pts (26-18). 

Another losing Trinity finalist was big Mark Delaney who was edged out by one single point by Mark Sutton (St Saviour’s) (15-14) in the light-heavyweight final. 

In the semis Mark was in thundering form, beating Philip Donnelly (Stoke City), KO1. 

Antrim lightweight Mark Winters, light-welter Eamonn Magee (Sacred Heart), Danny Ryan (Raphoe), and Holy Family Golden Gloves duo, Paul Douglas (heavy) and Darren Corbett (super-heavy) all claimed Irish titles that night. 

Ulster fielded a dozen finalists in the 1993 Irish deciders, finishing up with seven titles heading north and runner-up spots for Tommy Waite (Cairn Lodge), Paul Ireland (St Malachy’s/St George’s) and Anthony McFadden (Dunfanaghy).

1994

19 Damaen Kelly 1994 Irish Senior Flyweight Champion

Final: February 18 1994: Damaen Kelly beat Donal Hosford (Greenmount, Cork) pts 29-9

Defending flyweight champion, Damaen was in confident mood and scored by 29-9 over Cork’s Donal Hosford. 

Generally, he was content to let his long, left lead dominate the exchanges and the result was inevitable. Kelly, a superb bronze medallist at the 1993 World Championships, had looked in a class of his own that season. 

The following month he won gold at the AIBA World Challenge in Dublin exacting revenge over Cuban Waldermar Font in the final.

20 Jim Webb: 1994 Irish Senior Light-Middleweight Champion

Semi-final: Jim Webb beat M Roche (Sunnyside) pts (9-6)

A great performance from the Andersonstown southpaw, summoning all his skills to get the better of Cork southpaw Michael Roche.

Final: February 18 1994: Jim Webb beat Anthony McFadden (Dunfanaghy) pts 18-11

Anthony McFadden (Dunfanaghy) had accounted for Jim’s southpaw clubmate Brian Magee on points (12-10) in the other light-middleweight semi-final. 

But Jim took the light-middleweight title on a clear 18-11 decision over his Donegal rival.

There was little scope for clean punching in an untidy contest but victory was sweet nonetheless, the provincial champion securing his second Irish Senior title on the trot.

Jim and losing welter finalist that night, Neil Sinclair (Holy Family Golden Gloves), who lost out by a single point to Neil Gough, took Commonwealth Games gold medals in Victoria in Canada that summer. Martin Renaghan (Keady) and Mark Winters (Antrim) picked up Commonwealth silver.

Punchlines: Tommy Waite (Cairn Lodge) denied Belfast bantam Danny McAree (Immaculata) 22-16 while in the heavyweight class Paul Douglas (Holy Family Golden Gloves) retained his title to make it four Ulster winners on the final bill. 

Featherweight Paul Ireland (St Malachy’s/St George’s) and middleweight Danny Ryan (Raphoe) were the other Ulster contenders on finals night, both missing out on points’ decisions, the Donegal man by one single point, 9-8, against Denis Galvin (Moate).

1995

21 Damaen Kelly: 1995 Irish Senior Flyweight Champion

Final: February 17 1995: Damaen Kelly beat Brendan Walsh (Darndale) pts 15-5

Damaen, the reigning champion, lifted the flyweight title with a superb display of controlled boxing.

This was his first foray into top flight action since August when he returned from the Commonwealth Games.

Brendan Walsh was a southpaw and quite an awkward at that but Damaen downed him for a standing count of eight with a sharp left-right combination in the second round and finished up 10 points to the good, 15-5 the scoreline. 

22 Brian Magee: 1995 Irish Senior Middleweight Champion

Prelim: Brian Magee beat Tommy Donnelly (Mark Heagney ABC, Tyrone) pts (16-8)

Brian Magee southpaw accuracy and great movement earned the Trinity star an eight-point victory over a determined Tyrone fighter, Tommy Donnelly, at the final bell. 

Final: February 17 1995: Brian Magee beat Denis Galvin (St Saviour’s) pts 13-12

Brian was in his first Irish Senior final.

Long-standing championship star Denis Galvin was gunning for his sixth title win.

The only blemish on his middleweight record since coming to the top in 1989 was a narrow loss to Danny Ryan (Raphoe ABC) two years before. Brian was considered to possess the ability to match the Donegal digger’s breakthrough in 1993.

At the final bell the Trinity man emerged victorious a wafer-thin 13-12 verdict deservedly going his way.

Punchlines: Mixed fortunes for other Ulster boxers in Dublin that night with Irish title victories for the skilful featherweight Adrian Patterson (St Patrick’s, Newry), light-welter Glenn McClarnon (Clann Eireann, Lurgan), Cairn Lodge light-heavy Stephen Kirk and Holy Family duo Neil Sinclair (welter) and super-heavy Paul Douglas. 

Holy Family clubmate Colin Moffett lost out on points in the opening light-fly final and Marty Renaghan (Keady, Armagh) went close in the lightweight decider against Dubliner Glen Stephens.

1996 

23 Damaen Kelly: 1996 Irish Senior Flyweight Champion

Final: March 8 1996: Damaen Kelly beat David Sweetman (Golden Cobra) pts 21-3

Damaen appeared to be back to his brilliant best following a long lay-off enforced by a hand injury at the World Seniors in Berlin the previous season and was hunting for his fourth senior title. 

The lack of suitable pre-tournament opposition was a source of frustration for the 23-year-old and his flyweight opponent. 

David Sweetman (Golden Cobra) was his first taste of ring action in almost two months.

But Damaen retained his National senior title with considerable ease, having 18 points to spare at the final bell.

24 Brian Magee: 1996 Irish Senior Middleweight Champion

Semi-final: Brian Magee beat Richard Fox (Phibsboro) pts (17-1)

Ulster champion Brian thought that he would be facing Denis Galvin again in the final of the middleweight division but Brian Crowley (Ennis) made everyone sit up and take notice when he disposed of the five-time winner in the semi-final stages.

Final: March 8 1996: Brian Magee beat Brian Crowley (Ennis) RSCR2, eye injury

Brian took his second Irish Senior middleweight crown when an eye injury halted Clare fighter Brian Crowley (Ennis) in the second round. 

Brian was 9-3 ahead on the judges’ scorecards, after the referee stopped the contest in the second due to an eye injury sustained by the Ennis clubman.

Punchlines: Brian Magee and Damaen Kelly would go to represent Ireland at the Atlanta Olympics that year, both making it through to the quarter-final stages. 

They would both win two bouts in Atlanta defeating champions of Canada, Cameroon, Australia and Bulgaria. 

On Irish finals night, Adrian Patterson (St Patrick’s, Newry) and Cairn Lodge light-heavy Stephen Kirk retained their titles and Martin Renaghan (Keady, Armagh) made up for the disappointment of last season’s loss by denying Owen Montague (Antrim) to secure the lightweight honour. 

Holy Family light-fly Colin Moffett also finished in the runner-up spot as did bantam Oliver Duddy (Coleraine).

1997

25 Damaen Kelly: 1997 Senior bantamweight champion

Semi-final: Damaen Kelly beat Willie Valentine (St Saviour’s, Dublin) pts (28-12)

Damaen scored a comprehensive victory over Willie Valentine of St Saviour’s a champion in the weight of two seasons previous.

Final: March 7 1997: Damaen Kelly beat holder Damien McKenna (Holy Family, Drogheda) pts 11-7

Operating at bantamweight at this level was a new experience for Damaen who was his confident self and encountered no problem in moving up. He was particularly relaxed in the final round for an 11-7 win over his good pal Damien McKenna, the holder from Drogheda’s Holy Family.

26 Brian Magee: 1997 Irish Senior Middleweight Champion

Quarter-final: Brian Magee beat Alo Kelly (Brosna, Offaly) pts 10-1

Semi-final: Brian Magee beat Tommy Donnelly (Mark Heagney) RSC5.

Brian was well ahead on points against a brave Mark Heagney ABC fighter, Tommy Donnelly, when the referee stopped it in round five.

Final: March 7 1997: Brian Magee beat Ciprian Petrea Surugiu (Drimnagh) pts 19-9

Brian, now the world number seven Olympic middleweight and defending Irish champ, faced Romania’s former European junior finalist Ciprian Petrea Surugiu but was always too sharp for his strong, capable rival.

Punchlines: A substantial hoard of Irish silverware travelled north that night with Ulster boxers battling through successfully to seven of the 12 titles on offer at the National Stadium in Dublin. 

The first four fights on the programme were won by Belfast clubs, Jim Rooney (Star light-fly), flyweight Liam Cunningham (Saints) and feather Pat O’Donnell (Dockers), joining Trinity hero Damaen Kelly. 

Light-welter Glenn McClarnon (Holy Family Golden Gloves) and Cairn Lodge light-heavy Stephen ‘Captain’ Kirk along with Holy Trinity’s Brian Magee completed Ulster’s magnificent seven. 

Billy Cowan (Monkstown) narrowly missed out, with very little in it at the bell against Waterford welter Neil Gough.

1998

27 Brian Magee: 1998 Irish Senior Middleweight Champion

Semi-final: Magee beat Tommy Sheahan (St Michael’s, Athy) pts (17-3)

Brian, now ranked in the world Top 10, was a comfortable 17-3 winner over reigning National Junior champ Tommy Sheahan (St Michael’s, Athy) in the semi-final.

Final: January 23 1998: Brian Magee beat Kevin Walsh (St Colman’s, Cork) pts 25-2

Brian made the Irish title his own, his fourth, when he defeated Kevin Walsh, a fast-forward fighter from St Colman’s, Cork.

Punchlines: Brian had won gold at the Liverpool multi-nations tournament the previous summer and also topped the best of the world middleweights at the inaugural Muhammad Ali Cup in Kentucky, an occasion he will forever treasure.

“I beat the Olympic silver medallist and two top Americans,’’ Brian recalled.

“Muhammad Ali gave me my medal for that and I ended up with a private meeting with him. That was great as Ali is a big hero of mine.”

After his 1998 Irish title win Brian would go to bag bronze for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and a silver medal for Ireland at the European Championships in Minsk, Belarus that same year.

Ulster had six in contention on 1998 Irish finals night, light-fly Jim Rooney (Star) and feather Pat O’Donnell (Dockers) lifting the honours and flyweight Liam Cunningham (Saints), Paul McCloskey (St Canice’s, Dungiven) and the fighting fireman, heavyweight Ben McGarrigle (Omagh) all going under.

1999

28 Conall Carmichael: 1999 Irish Senior Middleweight Champion

Quarter-final: Conall beat highly-rated Marvin Lee (Oughterard, Galway), who was a double European junior multi-nations gold medal winner in 1998 and a European bronze medal winner in 1997.

Semi-final: A 19-3 semi-final victory over rugged Kevin Walsh (St Colman’s) sent the Belfast boxer sailing through to the deciders.

Final: March 12 1999: Conall Carmichael beat Ian Timms (CIE) pts 18-10

Middleweight Conall was the reigning Ulster and Irish national intermediate champion, when he won both the Irish and Ulster senior titles in his first season of senior competition. 

Conall, Irish Junior champion at welterweight in 1997, took the 1998 Irish intermediate middleweight title in December and was in brilliant form, dishing out standing counts in three rounds to end Ian Timms title hopes on an 18-10 computer scoreline.

Punchlines: Jim ‘Jimbo’ Rooney (Star) collected his third Irish title on the bounce beating Belfast light-fly rival Harry Cunningham (Saints).

The renowned Cunningham boxing family from Twinbrook, with dad and mentor Harry Snr in their corner that night, didn’t go home empty-handed, older brother Liam landing the flyweight crown. 

On the finals’ night, Ulster representation amounted to five contenders, with Willie Waite (Holy Family, Golden Gloves) finishing second in the bantam decider.

2003

29 Brian Gillen: 2003 Irish Senior Bantamweight Champion

Quarter-final: viewed as a tough opening bout against Eric Donovan (St Michael’s, Athy), Brian’s slick skills earned him a 25-17 win.

Semi-final: A comprehensive victory over experienced international Damien McKenna (Holy Family, Drogheda) set up a classic all-Belfast club confrontation.

Final: February 21 2003: Brian Gillen (Holy Trinity, Belfast) beat Martin Lindsay (Immaculata, Belfast) (22-13)

Ulster champion Brian topped the bantamweight division in 2003 defeating big Belfast rival Martin Lindsay (Immaculata) by nine points in a blistering National Stadium final contest on Friday February 21. Brian would also contest the 2004 Irish final against Eric Donovan (St Michael’s, Athy) with little separating this talented pair at the bell, the Kildare man’s arm raised a 19-16 winner.

Punchlines: Mixed fortunes for the Trinity, Immaculata and St Canice’s clubs that night. Trinity’s Conall Carmichael lost out in his light-heavyweight title bout against Dublin legend Kenneth Egan (Neilstown). Big Conall also finished in second spot in the 2001 Irish Elite finals running up against Egan in that decider also. 

Immaculata powerhouse, super-heavy Martin Rogan and Eamonn O’Kane (St Canice’s, Dungiven) missed out in 2003. 

Rogan went down by one single point, 10-9, to Thomas Crampton (St Broughan’s, Offaly) and Andy Lee (St Francis, Limerick) got the upper hand on O’Kane. 

Tommy Donnelly (Mark Heagney, Tyrone) missed out at heavyweight against solid Alan Reynolds (Sligo).

But Paul Baker (Immaculata), Andy Murray (Cavan), and Paul McCloskey (St Canice’s) all took Irish titles comfortably at the Stadium that night. 

2005

30 Cathal McMonagle: 2005 Irish Elite Super-Heavyweight Champion

Quarter-final: Cathal McMonagle beat Michael McDonagh (Brosna) 4-3

Semi-final: Cathal McMonagle beat Jimmy Upton (Crumlin, Dublin) 16-4

Final: March 18 2005: Cathal McMonagle beat Scott Belshaw (Lisburn) 12-4

Big Cathal McMonagle, a silver medal winner at the European Union championships in 2007, ruled the roost at super-heavy in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. 

His run of five Elite titles began on March 18 2005 with an emphatic win against fellow Ulsterman, Lisburn puncher Scott Belshaw. 

Cathal also featured in the 2002 final, denied the title by Eanna Falvey (St Colman’s, Cork)

Punchlines: Carl Frampton (Midland White City), who would go to become a world professional champion, was another winner from Ulster at the Stadium that night, defeating Derek Thorpe (St Aidan’s, Wexford) 14-4. 

Runner-up spots went to bantam Shaun McKim (Abbey) and middleweight Eamonn O’Kane (St Canice’s, Dungiven).

2007

31 Cathal McMonagle: 2007 Irish Elite Super-Heavyweight Champion

Semi-final: Cathal McMonagle beat Simon O’Reilly (Drimnagh) 13-4

Final: February 2 2007: Cathal McMonagle beat Anthony Crampton (St Broughan’s, Offaly) 14-10

‘’Cathal McMonagle did both himself and his Holy Trinity club proud by putting in a tremendous final round to oust the reigning super-heavy champion Anthony Crampton (St Broughan’s, Offaly),’’ wrote Pat Roche in The Irish News. 

‘’Cathal manfully wiped out arrears to finish up a 14-10 winner, which represented a patient and resilient performance by the Trinity man.’’ 

On June 23 that year, Cathal McMonagle and Carl Frampton claimed silver on an incredible day for Irish boxing at the EU Championships at the National Stadium in Dublin. 

Big Cathal featured in the final bout of the Championships, but had to settle for silver against Roberto Cammarelle of Italy.

Irish captain Ken Egan, Darren Sutherland, and Roy Sheahan lifted gold as Ireland finished on top of the gold medal table.

Punchlines: Ulster boxers were in with a chance of a treble at the heavier weights but Dublin middleweight Darren Sutherland had too much in the tank for the tough Eamonn O’Kane (St Canice’s, Dungiven) and light-heavy Willie Mitchell (Dromore, Tyrone) and heavyweight John Sweeney (Dungloe, Donegal) lost out in their title challenges. 

But this was the night that two supremely-talented young Ulster warriors would emerge on the National Elite scene. 

At light-fly Paddy Barnes (Holy Family) recorded his first Irish Elite title, comprehensively outpointing the man who had denied him in 2006. 

Jimmy Moore (St Francis, Limerick) had edged out the Belfast battler, 12-10, in the decider the previous year, but there was no quandary for the judges this night, Barnes taking a 19-3 verdict. 

At bantam, Immaculata’s Ryan Lindberg, who would claim six Ulster titles, edged out Kevin Fennessy (Clonmel), 19-18. 

A special contest on the bill that night saw a rising Irish superstar, lightweight Katie Taylor, beat Eva Wahlstrom (Finland) 20-4.

2008

32 Cathal McMonagle: 2008 Irish Elite Super-Heavyweight Champion

Final: January 11 2008: Cathal McMonagle (Holy Trinity, Belfast) beat Alex Vedernikov (Neilstown, Dublin) (Walkover)

No challenge for Cathal on finals night on Jan 11 2008 with a walkover win chalking up his third national elite honour and Holy Trinity’s 32nd Irish title. 

Punchlines: Holy Trinity clubmate Anthony Cacace, now successfully fighting his way to the top in the pro ranks, was edged out that night, going down 6-4 to Ross Hickey (Grangecon, Wicklow) while Ruairi Dalton (St John’s, Antrim) also missed out to Shane Cox (Gorey). 

But Ulster boxers landed a treble that night with light-fly Paddy Barnes (Holy Family Golden Gloves, Belfast) and bantam John Joe Nevin (Cavan) joining big Cathal on the winners’ podium.

2010

33 Cathal McMonagle: 2010 Irish Elite Super-Heavyweight Champion

Semi-final: Cathal McMonagle beat Chris Devanney (Ballincarrow) 10-3

Holy Trinity super heavyweight Cathal McMonagle claimed the final victory of the evening, a hard-punching 10-3 win over Chris Devanney booking the Ulster man’s ticket into the finals,

Final: March 6 2010: Cathal McMonagle beat Tommy Sheehan (St Michael’s, Athy) 11-10

Five points in arrears, Cathal produced a fantastic final-round fightback to win the super-heavyweight title at the National Stadium in Dublin.

Cathal fought back from 10-5 down entering the last round to snatch victory from jaws of defeat with an 11-10 win over last year’s finalist Tommy Sheehan of St Michael’s, Athy.

Punchlines: Women’s boxing in Ireland took a giant stride forward with the first Elite titles decided on Friday March 5 2010 at the National Stadium in Dublin. 

Quite a few walkovers on the bill including a certain Katie Taylor (Bray). Full list of champions was: 46kg: Lynn McEnery (St Paul’s Boxing Club, Waterford); 51kg: Debbie Rogers (Bray); 54kg: Ceire Smith (Cavan); 57kg: Dervla Duffy (Ryston); 60kg: Katie Taylor (Bray); 64kg: Tara Keane (St Anne’s); 69kg: Kellie Harrington (West Finglas); 75kg: Sinead Kavanagh (Drimnagh); 81kg: Emma Bowe (Donegal); 81kg+: Lauragh O’Neill (Paulstown).

In the men’s finals, Paddy Barnes (Holy Family Golden Gloves) secured his fourth Irish Senior Elite title and Tyrone McCullough (Illies Golden Gloves) outfoxed Immaculata’s James Fryers at feather. 

But Donegal man and Illies GG clubmate Willie McLaughlin and Jason Quigley (Finn Valley) both suffered final defeats. 

Title holder McLaughlin was edged out by John Joe Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy) at welterweight while Quigley went under to Darren O’Neill (Paulstown) in the middleweight final. 

Kenny Egan won his 10th straight Irish title after defeating Oliver Plunkett’s Tommy McCarthy at light-heavyweight. 

All Saints, Ballymena box/fighter Steven Donnelly took second spot in the light-welter decider. The gutsy Ballymena man would go on to represent Ireland at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

2011

34 Cathal McMonagle: 2011 Irish Elite Super-Heavyweight Champion

Semi-final: Cathal McMonagle beat Chris Devanney (Ballincarrow) 13-1

Final: February 25 2011: Cathal McMonagle beat Kenneth Okungbowa (Athlone BC) 12-5

Defending super-heavyweight champion Cathal McMonagle was 3-1 in arrears at the end of the first against Athlone BC prospect Kenneth Okungbowa. 

But the never-say-die Holy Trinity boxer kept his composure and levelled in the second before racing away to a clear 12-5 victory in the final contest of the evening.

Punchlines: Michaela Walsh (Holy Family) got the Irish title celebrations underway for Ulster clubs with success in the featherweight final on February 19 while Lianne McAree-Murphy (Carrickmacross) took gold in the 81+ division defeating last year’s champion Lauragh O’Neill (Paulstown). 

Ceire Smith (Cavan) and Alanna Murphy (Eastside) finished runners up. Murphy lost out narrowly to future Olympic gold medal winner Kellie Harrington. 

Walsh and Murphy would go to make history for Northern Ireland women boxers taking medals, silver and bronze, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

In the men’s Irish finals, a week later, on February 25 2011, Paddy Barnes nailed his fifth title at light-fly and his good friend Michael Conlan bridged a 43-year gap to bring an Irish Senior title back to Belfast’s St John Bosco club. This brilliant double act would fight their way to Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic medals in their illustrious careers.

 

 

2013

35 Sean McComb: 2013 Irish Elite Lightweight Champion

Quarter-final: Sean McComb beat John Peter Keenan (Loughmahon) pts 10-6

Semi-final: Sean McComb beat Eric Donovan (St Michael’s, Athy) pts 17-16

Two fine wins, firstly over John Peter Keenan (Loughmahon) and then the vastly-experienced international Eric Donovan (St Michael’s, Athy) put the Turf Lodge man in the final against George Bates (St Mary’s). 

Final: February 22 2013: Sean McComb beat George Bates (St Mary’s, Dublin) pts 19-7

Sean McComb’s preparation for the All-Ireland’s took a massive setback with defeat to Joseph Fitzpatrick, an Immaculata fighter and 2012 champ, in the Ulster Elite finals in Derry the previous month. 

But the loss didn’t derail him and he was back to his hit-and-move best in the opening two bouts of the Irish title challenge to advance to face George Bates (St Mary’s) in the final. 

George Bates had conquered Stadium favourite David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy) on his road to the decider. 

The opening round of the final proved a game of cat and mouse. 

Sean stuck to the plan to stay off his opponent, let him come forward and pick him off, learning from being drawn into a war in the Ulster final. 

At the final bell the Irish title was Sean’s, a 19-7 result underlining his superiority. 

Punchlines: Seven Irish titles and six runner-up spots came Ulster’s way that year.

Ceire Smith (Cavan), Lianne Murphy (Carrickmacross) and Michaela Walsh (Holy Family) led the way with Caroline Connolly (Raphoe), Joanne Lamb (Carrickmacross) and Sarah Close (Holy Family) in second places.

Along with Sean McComb (Holy Trinity), fellow Belfast men Michael Conlan (St John Bosco) and Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) and Donegal middleweight Jason Quigley also picked up Irish titles. Thomas J Waite (Cairn Lodge), Gary McKenna (Old School, Monaghan) and William McLaughlin (Illies Golden Gloves) finished as runner-up.

2015 

36 Sean McComb: 2015 Irish Elite Lightweight Champion

Semi-final: Sean McComb beat Gerard Matthews (St Paul’s, Belfast) (pts 3:0 unanimous)

Final: January 23 2015: Sean McComb beat George Bates (St Mary’s, Dublin) pts 2:1 majority

At lightweight, Sean McComb (Holy Trinity) regained his Irish title, earning a split decision victory over Dubliner George Bates (St Mary’s). 

Sean was out to win back the Irish lightweight title he lifted in 2013 before having it controversially snatched away last year by David Oliver Joyce. The Holy Trinity ace duly delivered with a repeat of his 2013 win over the tough Bates. 

Sean also challenged for the Irish title the previous year, on February 7 2014, losing out in the final on a majority decision to Kildare hero David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy).

Punchlines: Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s Belfast, 49kg) and Kurt Walker (Canal, Lisburn, 56kg) both claimed Irish honours on the finals’ night. 

The Irish News report read: “Kurt Walker claimed his first senior title, at bantamweight, defeating Belfast’s Sean Higginson (St John Bosco).

“At light-flyweight, Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s) edged out rugged Hugh Myers (St Brigid’s, Kildare). Flyweight Ceire Smith (Cavan) and bantam Michaela Walsh (Holy Family) also claimed Irish titles.”

Runner-up medals went to Ulster boxers Sean Higginson (St John Bosco), Kristine O’Hara (Emerald), Joanne Lambe (Carrickmacross) and Fionna Nelson (City of Belfast). 

2017 

37 Sean McComb: 2017 Irish Elite Light-Welterweight Champion

Semi-final: 64kg: Sean McComb beat Patrick Linehan (St Mary’s, Dublin) (pts 5:0 unanimous)

Final: February 17 2017: Sean McComb beat Wayne Kelly (Ballynacargy, Westmeath) pts 5:0 unanimous

Sean McComb claimed his third Irish Elite title and first at light-welterweight with a unanimous decision victory over the talented Wayne Kelly.

Sean played to his strengths throughout the bout to out-box the Ballynacargy man from the opening bell, speed, accuracy and great footwork central to the success. 

A clash of heads opened a cut above Sean’s left eye, but it was not an issue as he continued to pick his opponent off.

In the last, the Turf Lodge tactician boxed perfectly to coast home as 2017 champion. 

Sean had also featured on the 2016 Irish finals card, held on December 11 2015, a majority verdict going against him in his second joust with David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy).

Punchlines: Light-fly Kristina O’Hara (St John Bosco) picked up the first Irish title that year quickly followed by another Belfast star, Carly McNaul (Ormeau Road). 

And the titles kept coming. An all-Ulster battle at light-fly saw Blaine Dobbins (St Joseph’s, Derry) edge out Darryl Moran (Illies GG).

At 52kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s) took the honours while Kurt Walker (Canal) denied fellow Ulster man Stephen McKenna (Old School) in the 56kgs final.

The 81+kg honours went to Maeve McCarron (Carrigart) and there were also two Ulster runner-up spots that night, Caroline Connolly (Mourne GG) and Brett McGinty (Oakleaf). 

 

 

2018

38 Caoimhin Hynes 2018 Irish Elite Light-Heavyweight Champion

Semi-final: February 17 2018: Caoimhin Agyarko Hynes beat Tony Brown (St Michael’s, Dublin) (5:0 unanimous)

Caoimhin Agyarko Hynes stunned 2017 beaten finalist Tony Brown to advance to the final showdown at the Stadium. This was Caoimhin’s first fight at the 81kg limit, having only agreed to enter the Irish Elites at the last minute, with a move to the paid ranks seemingly imminent. 

Caoimhin was determined to make it a final Championship to remember. He had exited at the 75kgs semi-final stages the previous year.

Final: February 24 2018: Caoimhin Agyarko Hynes beat Brian Kennedy (St Mary’s, Daingean) pts 3:2 majority 

A hand injury picked up in the Ulsters saw Caoimhin take 10 weeks out of the ring, hence his move up the weight divisions. The Holy Trinity explosive box/fighter defeated former Irish U22 champion Brian Kennedy on a split decision to add his name to a list of 81kg champions that includes Irish stars such as Kenneth Egan (Neilstown) and Joe Ward (Moate). 

For Caoimhin it was the culmination of a roller-coaster 12 months, during which he was forced to spend time away from the ring after being stabbed in Belfast city centre.

Punchlines: Conor Quinn became Clonard’s first Irish Elite champion since 1970 after taking the 52kg title on a walkover for the Belfast club. Michaela Walsh (Monkstown), Joanne Lambe (Carrickmacross) and Ceire Smith (Virginia/DCU) also collected Irish titles while Newry lad Eugene McKeever (Holy Family, Drogheda) and Ricky Nesbitt (Carrickmacross) earned runners-up awards. 

So too did Donegal native Brett McGinty, who boxes out of Derry’s Oakleaf BC. He lost out to Michael Nevin in a thrilling middleweight final at the National Stadium in Dublin. 

Young Holy Trinity lightweight Barry McReynolds contested the 2020 Irish Elite finals on Friday November 22 2019. 

The Elite Championships ran twice in 2019 ahead of the Olympic qualifiers in 2020. 

Barry had defeated experienced international Myles Casey (St Francis, Limerick) on a 3-2 decision in the semi-finals at the start of the week, Monday November 18. 

In against Brandon McCarthy (St Michael’s, Athy) in the final, there was very little between them at the end of each round, but Barry was edged out of the title honours.