BOXING TOURNAMENT WAS SPLENDID CENTREPIECE TO OMAGH FUND EVENT
Boxing tournament was splendid centrepiece to Omagh Fund event
THERE were numerous stars from the world of professional boxing in Omagh Leisure Centre last Wednesday night to pay tribute to the victims of the Omagh bomb, and there were moving scenes as the ceremonies for the twelve bout tournament got underway.
As the families of the victims, and the survivors of the blast took their seats at ringside, twenty-four amateur boxers prepared to face one of the greatest audiences ever assembled in Omagh for a boxing tournament. The event may have been entitled 'Night of the Champions' but for the these young men there was an evening of hard work ahead.
Not surprisingly there were some pre-bout nerves, with the young pugilists realising that they were being scrutinised by some of the top fighters of the past 50 years. Despite that they gave a display of skill and courage that will have left an impression on the stars of the pro-game.
The first bout contests at 45 kg between P. Heaney of the local Bishop Kelly club and B. McLaughlin of the Oakleaf club in Derry got off to a ragged start. Heaney, who appeared to have a weight advantage pursued in round one. Taller and with the longer reach kept his opponent off balance with a series of left and right jabs. The Derry boxer had difficulty finding his way in, and at the first minute of round one Heaney unleashed a volley of some eight or nine shots all of which found their target. Young McLaughlin staged something of a comeback near the end of the round. However, his trainer retired him in his corner at the opening bell of round two. The second bout of the evening saw the powerfully built D. McGlinchey of Omagh Boys Club take on the taller and rangy S. Magee of Oakleaf in Derry.
Magee started the action with some impressive sharp shooting keeping McGlinchey at arm's length. However thirty seconds into the contest McGlinchey rushed in, and with a powerful right hand caught his opponent off balance and sent him to the canvas. The referee ruled that it was more a slip but the Omagh boxer's right hand had a part in it. Whatever the merits of the ruling, the moment gave McGlinchey a boost in confidence and he began to stalk landing single clubbing right and left hand blows. Sensing the need to make up some ground, Magee came out all guns blazing at the start of round two. He found his target and scored well early. But McGlinchey, still confident joined him in mid-ring for an exchange,though his blows were slappier. Towards the end of the round, however, the Omagh man moved in under the taller man's guard and landed three telling blows to the head, right- left-right, prompting the Derry corner to throw in the towel.
Contested at 54kg, the third bout of the evening saw the southpaw P. Doherty of OBC, facing S. Canning of Oakleaf. Doherty found his range early and unleashed a mixed bag of punches that had Canning reeling. With just one minute gone the referee interceded to save the Derry
boxer any further punishment.
D. Taggart of OBC met T. McGilloway of Derry's Oakleaf in a four rounder that saw the Omagh boxer pursue aggressively from the opening bell. The taller Derry boxer had difficulty keeping Taggart away and a powerful left had McGilloway holding on on early in the first. The Derry man concentrated mainly on counter-punching until round three when he attempted to seize the initiative. Both lads were looking tired in the third and whilst McGilloway was the busier, the more telling blows were from Taggart. The contest followed the same pattern in the fourth, but with the Derry man becoming a little more accurate with his long straight punches.
Conscious of his need to up the pace Taggart launched a strong offensive landing crisply to the head and body forcing McGilloway into retreat.
The action was stopped for a few minutes when one of the ring ropes worked loose and, on the resumption of hostilities, the bout lacked a little lustre, with Taggart winning by decision.
Following the bout officials struggled for some twenty minutes to reinstate the ropes which suffered a partial collapse. Young spectators took full advantage of the situation mobbing the stars for autographs during the break.
Nottingham and Omagh clashed in the fifth bout when A Colton of OBC met J. Pearson of Eastwood ABC, Nottingham. The contest which was handled by international referee, Mickey Gallagher, started slowly with both fighters exercising a little too much caution. However, it became apparent early on that that both men were stylists, and the audience were treated to a classy boxing display. Colton found his range first with a crisp left hook. That was the wake up call for the Nottingham boxer, who launched a moderately successful counter-offensive. A counter attack by Colton was thwarted when Pearson successfully slipped punches and parried his way out of trouble. At the beginning of round two, Colton opened up with a short left and two right crosses. The Nottingham boxer was a little shaken but quickly regained his composure to return the compliment with a series of classy counter punches and, just as he was getting ahead with the higher work rate, Colton stepped in and repeated the formula with which he started the round and with the same success. Nevertheless, the sheer work rate of the visitor may have clinched that round. At the opening of round three the Omagh man was doing the chasing, but, still his opponent remained evasive, then towards the end of the round, Nottingham boxer, decided to stand and trade punches in the centre of the ring, and that was a mistake. The strength of Colton began to tell and he finished the round strongly having shaken his opponent, with some impressive combos. Colton was the unanimous winner.
Halfway through the bill it was the turn of the light-heavies with K. Lunny OBC, facing G. Vasey of Eastwood ABC. The bout promised to be spectacular and lived up to expectations from the earliest moments. Lunny landed first, just seconds after the opening bell with a jarring left uppercut as Vasey rushed in. Clearly, he had power, but with Vasey displaying an iron-like jaw, and a big heart, it never looked like being an easy fixture for either man. Vasey attempted to rush Lunny for a second time and for a second time was caught with a left uppercut, this time staggering from the effects. Trying to capitalise on his advantage, Lunny raced after his man pouring in a selection of lefts and rights all carrying significant, power. But far from crumbling, his opponent came storming back firing wildly and clipping the Omagh man with a useful right cross.
Lunny started round two in emphatic style, crashing home a terrific straight right-left combination leaving his opponent's nose bleeding. However, whilst Lunny had the best of the early action, he walked onto two powerful right jabs which in turn bled his nose. The action began to look a little rough towards the end of the round with the ref calling 'break' just as Lunny landed a swiping left hook.
In the third, it was Lunny again who took the initiative with three straight right jabs followed by a brutally powerful left-right hook combination, however, he did not capitalise on Vasey's discomfort and the Eastwood ABC boxer, still very powerful and dangerous, staged something of a comeback. The thuds of the blows from both boxers could be heard all around the hall. Vasey staged a rally and seemed to briefly have the Omagh man in trouble with some heavy combination hitting at close range, but, having abandoned caution he was stopped in his tracks by a stiff right jab and left uppercut which forced him to take a standing count. Lunny scored heavily with single powerful right handers until the bell some ten seconds later. Lunny unanimous winner.
A southpaw orthodox fight was next up with Omagh's B McAleer of the Bishop Kelly club facing S. McGuinness of Oakleaf. The contestants had a hard act to follow. The two evenly matched boxers chose style over strength in an uneventful first round.
In the second the pace raised a good deal, with McAleer picking his opponent off with some snappy right hand leads. Neither man had any natural advantage, however, mid- way through the round - McGuinness suddenly burst into action for a sustained attack and punches from all angles. The bout was waged in strategic way with McAleer scoring in bursts and McGuinness mainly sharp-shooting and counter-punching, neither man getting everything his own way.
Midway through the third, the boxers became entwined in a slugfest in the centre of the ring. Again it was so evenly matched that no one had a clear advantage. The contest went to a decision with McGuinness winning a majority decision. Omagh's N. Monteith of the Bishop Kelly club took on Dungiven's P. McCloskey of St Canice's, Dungiven, in what was an exceptional display of colourful and skilful boxing. After four very closely matched rounds in which Monteith's speedy flurries were countered by McCloskey's counter punching. It was a tough match to call. McCloskey in a crouching style was using every opportunity to his advantage and was razor sharp stabbing jabs. The fight was full of ups and downs with nobody dominating, and although there was consistent snappy punching from both boxers, the contest will be remembered more for its finesse than fury. McCloskey won by a slim decision in what was really the fight of the night.
The final contest of the evening saw Omagh Boys Club boxer, and World Fire Games Champion, Heavyweight Champion, Ben McGarrigle, take on T. Black of Dungannon. The affair started speedily with McGarrigle connecting early with crisp jabs and scoring to the body with hooks and uppercuts.. Black was the taller boxer, but could not use his height to any good effect as McGarrigle kept on top of him from the opening bell. The powerfully built OBC boxer was leading the action and his power was making life difficult for Black, so much so, that before the round's end the Dungannon man was forced to take a stranding count. A similar pattern followed in round two and three, but although McGarrigle was clearly hurting his opponent with heavy blows black never stopped trying and though he was unable to stop the advancing McGarrigle, he had great heart and continued battling bravely. Last in round two black had some momentary success as he let loose with a volley of long straight punches which all found their target.
Despite his aggressive style, McGarrigle, is an able defensive fighter who slipped and sucked causing his opponent to miss wildly.
McGarrigle's work rate didn't let up and every punch seemed to carry serious authority.
In the fourth, a tiring McGarrigle was more economical with his punches and Black sensing there was half an opening let loose with a sustained volley, but McGarrigle bobbed and weaved and came back with a right hook to the body which had the Dungannon boxer grimacing and covering up. There was a second standing count, and when the action resumed McGarrigle waded in with more carefully selected blows, to take the contest by a unanimous decision. To Black's credit, he never stopped trying. McGarrigle was awarded the 'Boxer of the Night trophy' which was presented by one-time Scottish champion, Roddy Breslin.
THERE were numerous stars from the world of professional boxing in Omagh Leisure Centre last Wednesday night to pay tribute to the victims of the Omagh bomb, and there were moving scenes as the ceremonies for the twelve bout tournament got underway.
As the families of the victims, and the survivors of the blast took their seats at ringside, twenty-four amateur boxers prepared to face one of the greatest audiences ever assembled in Omagh for a boxing tournament. The event may have been entitled 'Night of the Champions' but for the these young men there was an evening of hard work ahead.
Not surprisingly there were some pre-bout nerves, with the young pugilists realising that they were being scrutinised by some of the top fighters of the past 50 years. Despite that they gave a display of skill and courage that will have left an impression on the stars of the pro-game.
The first bout contests at 45 kg between P. Heaney of the local Bishop Kelly club and B. McLaughlin of the Oakleaf club in Derry got off to a ragged start. Heaney, who appeared to have a weight advantage pursued in round one. Taller and with the longer reach kept his opponent off balance with a series of left and right jabs. The Derry boxer had difficulty finding his way in, and at the first minute of round one Heaney unleashed a volley of some eight or nine shots all of which found their target. Young McLaughlin staged something of a comeback near the end of the round. However, his trainer retired him in his corner at the opening bell of round two. The second bout of the evening saw the powerfully built D. McGlinchey of Omagh Boys Club take on the taller and rangy S. Magee of Oakleaf in Derry.
Magee started the action with some impressive sharp shooting keeping McGlinchey at arm's length. However thirty seconds into the contest McGlinchey rushed in, and with a powerful right hand caught his opponent off balance and sent him to the canvas. The referee ruled that it was more a slip but the Omagh boxer's right hand had a part in it. Whatever the merits of the ruling, the moment gave McGlinchey a boost in confidence and he began to stalk landing single clubbing right and left hand blows. Sensing the need to make up some ground, Magee came out all guns blazing at the start of round two. He found his target and scored well early. But McGlinchey, still confident joined him in mid-ring for an exchange,though his blows were slappier. Towards the end of the round, however, the Omagh man moved in under the taller man's guard and landed three telling blows to the head, right- left-right, prompting the Derry corner to throw in the towel.
Contested at 54kg, the third bout of the evening saw the southpaw P. Doherty of OBC, facing S. Canning of Oakleaf. Doherty found his range early and unleashed a mixed bag of punches that had Canning reeling. With just one minute gone the referee interceded to save the Derry
boxer any further punishment.
D. Taggart of OBC met T. McGilloway of Derry's Oakleaf in a four rounder that saw the Omagh boxer pursue aggressively from the opening bell. The taller Derry boxer had difficulty keeping Taggart away and a powerful left had McGilloway holding on on early in the first. The Derry man concentrated mainly on counter-punching until round three when he attempted to seize the initiative. Both lads were looking tired in the third and whilst McGilloway was the busier, the more telling blows were from Taggart. The contest followed the same pattern in the fourth, but with the Derry man becoming a little more accurate with his long straight punches.
Conscious of his need to up the pace Taggart launched a strong offensive landing crisply to the head and body forcing McGilloway into retreat.
The action was stopped for a few minutes when one of the ring ropes worked loose and, on the resumption of hostilities, the bout lacked a little lustre, with Taggart winning by decision.
Following the bout officials struggled for some twenty minutes to reinstate the ropes which suffered a partial collapse. Young spectators took full advantage of the situation mobbing the stars for autographs during the break.
Nottingham and Omagh clashed in the fifth bout when A Colton of OBC met J. Pearson of Eastwood ABC, Nottingham. The contest which was handled by international referee, Mickey Gallagher, started slowly with both fighters exercising a little too much caution. However, it became apparent early on that that both men were stylists, and the audience were treated to a classy boxing display. Colton found his range first with a crisp left hook. That was the wake up call for the Nottingham boxer, who launched a moderately successful counter-offensive. A counter attack by Colton was thwarted when Pearson successfully slipped punches and parried his way out of trouble. At the beginning of round two, Colton opened up with a short left and two right crosses. The Nottingham boxer was a little shaken but quickly regained his composure to return the compliment with a series of classy counter punches and, just as he was getting ahead with the higher work rate, Colton stepped in and repeated the formula with which he started the round and with the same success. Nevertheless, the sheer work rate of the visitor may have clinched that round. At the opening of round three the Omagh man was doing the chasing, but, still his opponent remained evasive, then towards the end of the round, Nottingham boxer, decided to stand and trade punches in the centre of the ring, and that was a mistake. The strength of Colton began to tell and he finished the round strongly having shaken his opponent, with some impressive combos. Colton was the unanimous winner.
Halfway through the bill it was the turn of the light-heavies with K. Lunny OBC, facing G. Vasey of Eastwood ABC. The bout promised to be spectacular and lived up to expectations from the earliest moments. Lunny landed first, just seconds after the opening bell with a jarring left uppercut as Vasey rushed in. Clearly, he had power, but with Vasey displaying an iron-like jaw, and a big heart, it never looked like being an easy fixture for either man. Vasey attempted to rush Lunny for a second time and for a second time was caught with a left uppercut, this time staggering from the effects. Trying to capitalise on his advantage, Lunny raced after his man pouring in a selection of lefts and rights all carrying significant, power. But far from crumbling, his opponent came storming back firing wildly and clipping the Omagh man with a useful right cross.
Lunny started round two in emphatic style, crashing home a terrific straight right-left combination leaving his opponent's nose bleeding. However, whilst Lunny had the best of the early action, he walked onto two powerful right jabs which in turn bled his nose. The action began to look a little rough towards the end of the round with the ref calling 'break' just as Lunny landed a swiping left hook.
In the third, it was Lunny again who took the initiative with three straight right jabs followed by a brutally powerful left-right hook combination, however, he did not capitalise on Vasey's discomfort and the Eastwood ABC boxer, still very powerful and dangerous, staged something of a comeback. The thuds of the blows from both boxers could be heard all around the hall. Vasey staged a rally and seemed to briefly have the Omagh man in trouble with some heavy combination hitting at close range, but, having abandoned caution he was stopped in his tracks by a stiff right jab and left uppercut which forced him to take a standing count. Lunny scored heavily with single powerful right handers until the bell some ten seconds later. Lunny unanimous winner.
A southpaw orthodox fight was next up with Omagh's B McAleer of the Bishop Kelly club facing S. McGuinness of Oakleaf. The contestants had a hard act to follow. The two evenly matched boxers chose style over strength in an uneventful first round.
In the second the pace raised a good deal, with McAleer picking his opponent off with some snappy right hand leads. Neither man had any natural advantage, however, mid- way through the round - McGuinness suddenly burst into action for a sustained attack and punches from all angles. The bout was waged in strategic way with McAleer scoring in bursts and McGuinness mainly sharp-shooting and counter-punching, neither man getting everything his own way.
Midway through the third, the boxers became entwined in a slugfest in the centre of the ring. Again it was so evenly matched that no one had a clear advantage. The contest went to a decision with McGuinness winning a majority decision. Omagh's N. Monteith of the Bishop Kelly club took on Dungiven's P. McCloskey of St Canice's, Dungiven, in what was an exceptional display of colourful and skilful boxing. After four very closely matched rounds in which Monteith's speedy flurries were countered by McCloskey's counter punching. It was a tough match to call. McCloskey in a crouching style was using every opportunity to his advantage and was razor sharp stabbing jabs. The fight was full of ups and downs with nobody dominating, and although there was consistent snappy punching from both boxers, the contest will be remembered more for its finesse than fury. McCloskey won by a slim decision in what was really the fight of the night.
The final contest of the evening saw Omagh Boys Club boxer, and World Fire Games Champion, Heavyweight Champion, Ben McGarrigle, take on T. Black of Dungannon. The affair started speedily with McGarrigle connecting early with crisp jabs and scoring to the body with hooks and uppercuts.. Black was the taller boxer, but could not use his height to any good effect as McGarrigle kept on top of him from the opening bell. The powerfully built OBC boxer was leading the action and his power was making life difficult for Black, so much so, that before the round's end the Dungannon man was forced to take a stranding count. A similar pattern followed in round two and three, but although McGarrigle was clearly hurting his opponent with heavy blows black never stopped trying and though he was unable to stop the advancing McGarrigle, he had great heart and continued battling bravely. Last in round two black had some momentary success as he let loose with a volley of long straight punches which all found their target.
Despite his aggressive style, McGarrigle, is an able defensive fighter who slipped and sucked causing his opponent to miss wildly.
McGarrigle's work rate didn't let up and every punch seemed to carry serious authority.
In the fourth, a tiring McGarrigle was more economical with his punches and Black sensing there was half an opening let loose with a sustained volley, but McGarrigle bobbed and weaved and came back with a right hook to the body which had the Dungannon boxer grimacing and covering up. There was a second standing count, and when the action resumed McGarrigle waded in with more carefully selected blows, to take the contest by a unanimous decision. To Black's credit, he never stopped trying. McGarrigle was awarded the 'Boxer of the Night trophy' which was presented by one-time Scottish champion, Roddy Breslin.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0684
Published Date: 26-Nov-98
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