BOXING CLEVER

Michael McAlister and Karol Dlugosv will head to Dublin for their shots at glory in the National Stadium.

The lads - who are relative newcomers to the sport - secured their chances at titles following fine displays at the same venue at the weekend.

Five boys from the Ballymoney-based club were in action at the Irish Championship showpiece.

Brian McAlister (46kg) won his quarter-final, beating last year’s finalist, as did Ryan Wallace (54kg) who won his quarter-final 5-0 to progress to the semi-final.

Michael (50kg) and Karol (86kg) also won their quarter-final bouts.

Dylan Hanna (60kg) lost his semi-final fight.

Brian boxed the semi-final on Saturday but lost 2-0 despite boxing very well.

Ryan fought the reigning two times Irish champion Michael O’Reilly and lost 4-1 but again boxed fantastically.

Michael won his semi-final 2-1 and will box again this weekend as will Karol.

Scorpion head coach Alan Martin was delighted with how all the lads performed.

“We had a great weekend, the boys boxed extremely well,” he said.

“A lot of the boys are fairly new to the club and we have a new wave coming through currently.

“None of them are with the club anymore than about two seasons and already they are competing at All-Irelands.

“In order to be there you have to be a champion so if you are winning fights down there you are beating other champions.”

Alan continued: “We had five boys down there doing the town proud and they boxed their hearts out.

“Even the boys that did lose, I was delighted with how they performed.

“The experience they have gained will make them better boxers and they will come back stronger from it.

“I’m very proud of them all.

“We’ve contested seven All-Ireland finals in the past three years which is a wonderful achievement.

“So I’m delighted with the way the boys are boxing.”

Alan paid tribute to the work of coach Paul Donnelly at the club.

And he also thanked Shirelle McAlister who organised a quiz night for Scorpion last Friday night which raised over £400.

“Everyone in the club really appreciates what Shirelle did and it was a big help,” said Alan.

“It was very good of her and very much appreciated by all at the club.”