Brave defeats for Ballymena boxers in Irish championships

All Saints’ Steven Donnelly won his opening contest in the 69kg class but eventually bowed out at the quarter-final stage to multiple Irish champion John Joe Joyce.

“Steven put in a good performance and just ran out of steam a bit in the final round,” said All Saints official Gerry Hamill.

“That’s understandable given that he won his Ulster title in the first round of his only fight and then only had three rounds under his belt from the Friday night before he took on Joyce on the Saturday night.

“But he has shown he can compete at a high level after two years out of boxing and he will come back strongly next year,” added Gerry.

Braid ABC teenager Anthony O’Rawe, fresh from winning the Ballykeel club’s first Ulster title a few weeks ago, was defeated 19-14 by Irish under-23 champion Gary McKenna in a high scoring 56kg quarter-final.

“Anthony fought very well but despite hurting his opponent with body shots and being the busier boxer was just not registering scores and came out on the wrong side of the scoring,” said Braid head coach John McLeister.

“Anthony is disappointed not to have secured the win but was happy to have gained the experience. “Anthony has loads of time to develop further and is determined to be the first Irish Senior champion for the Braid club after making club history in becoming the first senior champion,” added John.