STORM Éowyn might have turned Ulster boxing’s showpiece night into an afternoon affair – but there will still be plenty of mouth-watering action on offer once the first bell goes.
Starting at 12pm on Saturday, rather than 7pm on Friday as originally planned, the Girdwood Community Hub will host a mix of up-and-comers and established fighters in pursuit of glory.
Dylan Eagleson’s return to the ring after a 15 month lay-off has been the big story of the week and, after overcoming Jordan O’Donnell on Thursday night, he faces a major test against Rhys Owens.
The Erne lightweight is the reigning Irish elite champion, and is a more natural 60 kilo fighter than Eagleson, who won Commonwealth Games gold at 54kg in 2022 before moving up to 57kg.
There is an intriguing rematch at light-middleweight too, where defending champion Matthew McCole takes on familiar foe Jon McConnell.
A few months after edging McCole at the Irish elites, the Donegal man gained revenge when claiming a split decision win over the Holy Trinity man on Ulster final night.
McConnell has promised it will be a different result if the pair meet again – now, having already beaten McCole’s Illies GG club-mate Cahir Gormley, he has the chance to back up those words.
There is an intriguing match-up in the first final of the night, when Clepson dos Santos and Scott Thompson face off to decide who is lord of the flys.
Dos Santos has improved considerably since beginning his elite career as a teenager at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and claimed his first Irish elite title in November.
But Thompson – son of former pro William – signalled his potential by taking the Irish U18 title in August, and marked his step up to elite level by getting the better of the experienced Blaine Dobbins in Thursday night’s semi-final.
Anthony Malanaphy has looked strong since moving up to 67kg, and there could be fireworks in his final clash with Gianni Richmond from Cairn Lodge, while Kyle Smith and Eoghan Quinn at middleweight will be well worth watching.
At 92kg, Immaculata veteran Colm McCorry returns for another hurrah in his final against Garyn McAllister.
SCHEDULE
Special contests
48kg: L Rooney (Star) v A Bozkaya (East Meath)
54/57kg: N Clyde (Antrim) v C McCrudden (Emerald)
63.5kg: JP Hale (Star) v L Hall (Rochfortsbridge)
Finals
51kg: C dos Santos (Holy Trinity) v S Thompson (Spartans)
54kg: K Reilly (Immaculata) v D Bradley (Holy Trinity)
57kg: C Walsh (North Down) v J Graham (Clonard)
60kg: C Moore (Emerald) v C Craig (Glengormley)
60kg: R Owens (Erne) v D Eagleson (St Paul’s)
63kg: K Rock (Holy Trinity) v E McDonald (Corpus Christi)
66kg: C Coiley (Clonard) v J Hill (Holy Trinity)
67kg: G Richmond (Cairn Lodge) v A Malanaphy (Erne)
71kg: M McCole (Illies GG) v J McConnell (Holy Trinity)
75kg: E Quinn (St John’s) v K Smith (Holy Trinity)
80kg: C McKernan (Castleblayney) v R Murphy (St Monica’s)
92kg: C McCorry (Immaculata) v G McAllister (Holy Family)
