DYLAN Eagleson made a successful return to the ring at Girdwood Community Hub on Thursday evening as he advanced into the lightweight final of the Ulster Elite Boxing Championships.
Eagleson, who hasn’t boxed in over a year due to hand injuries, certainly looked a little rusty and was made to work for his 4-1 split decision win, but in fairness, he seemed to have done enough and the St Paul’s southpaw would have been very happy to have had following the lengthy period out.
“I’m just happy to be back,” said Eagleson.
“He was a tough fella who kept coming and I expected that. I’m out 14 months and everyone knows it, so they are all going to come and try to beat the name, but that was just 30 per cent.”
Eagleson felt his way in for the opening moments but quickly began to show his class with superb movement and accurate, scoring shots.
O’Donnell, who came through a quarter-final on Wednesday, grew into it but Eagleson had got off to a solid start.
The pace increased to begin the second with an early exchange, but Eagleson had the final say, although the St Paul’s man was being made to work as O’Donnell upped the tempo.
Still, he seemed to be a step ahead of the St George’s hope, scoring with backhands and lead rights despite being forced to take a few of his own in a close second.
O’Donnell knew he had to go for it in the third as he sought to set a high pace and got through with a big uppercut, but Eagleson had done enough previous to advance.
Irish Elite champion Rhys Owens came through the other semi-final against Cookstown’s Erik Banas in fine style, showcasing his array of skills to dominate the three rounds, forcing a standing count in the third to set up an intriguing final.
Scott Thompson advanced into the flyweight decider as he recovered from a second-round setback to get the better of 2022 champion, Blaine Dobbins on a 4-1 split.
The St Joseph’s southpaw was busy from the off with effective, fast combinations. But Thompson settled to the task and found his timing, scoring with counters as the 2022 champion advanced.
It was an intriguing clash of styles as Thompson was first to land in the second, but Dobbins found a superb response as he was the one to catch his opponent on the way in to send him to the canvas and force a count.
The young Spartans man recovered well and finished the second round strongly, picking up where he left off in the third as he forced the issue, finishing strong and setting up a meeting with Clepson Dos Santos.
In the welterweight category, another of the Erne men, Anthony Malanaphy came through an entertaining battle against Clonard’s Darragh Smyth on a unanimous decision and in the final he will meet Cairn Lodge’s Gianni Richmond who had the benefit of a walkover.
Elsewhere, Jon McConnell and Matthew McCole came through their semi-finals to set up a repeat of last year’s light-middleweight decider as Irish Elite champion, McConnell, was hugely impressive in his victory over McCole’s Illies’ clubmate, Cahir Cahir Gormley. with McCole receiving a walkover.
The middleweight semi-finals saw a unanimous win for Eoghan Quinn over Daniel Ramsey, while Kyle Smith scored a knockdown on his way to victory over Philip Rooney on a 3-0 split after a thrilling battle.
The 80kg final will be decided between Castleblayney’s Conor McKernon - who received a walkover - and St Monica’s Ryan Murphy who was a 5-0 winner over Peter Clarke, while Garyn McAllister came through on a 5-0 decision against Calvin McCullough in the heavyweight category to set up a final against Immaculata’s Colm McCorry.
The finals, initially due to take place on Friday, have been switched to Saturday afternoon (from midday) due to Storm Éowyn.
