Bantry ABC’s four-time Munster champion Jack Desmond will fight for a national title in an All-Ireland final on April 8th.
BANTRY ABC’s four-time Munster champion Jack Desmond will fight for a national title in an All-Ireland final on April 8th.
The talented local fighter (14) defeated Leinster champion Karl Sheridan of the famous Crumlin ABC with a comfortable points decision in the semi-final at the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin.
‘Jack was terrific in Dublin,’ said head coach Andy Kerins.
‘He boxed with great intelligence and showed some fantastic skill. His opponent for the final is one tough ball of energy from Ulster and it has the makings of a cracking contest so we have to get the tactics right for this one if we are to bring home that elusive Irish title.
‘This will be Jack’s third national final in four years, which in itself is phenomenal for a kid from West Cork when you consider the clubs that he has been up against from every corner of Ireland, and he has been getting closer every time.
‘I know Jack is relishing the prospect of challenging for the title and he will give it absolutely everything to get his hands on the one title that has so narrowly eluded him thus far.
‘Myself and his Dad Andrew, who train him and work the corner for his contests are really looking forward to the Final. Jack is in great shape and he came through his contests over the weekend without any injuries or damage, which can always be a concern
‘The boy is a sensational, exciting boxer who people around the country have really started to sit up and take notice of.’
Meanwhile, at the recent Cork County Championships, Bantry ABC’s James Desmond and Padraig O’Sullivan captured the Boy3 46kg and Boy1 48kg titles respectively.
It was Desmond’s first return to the championship fray since he had to withdraw after the first round of last year’s final with a shoulder injury and he was keen to set the record straight. He did this in style, winning all three rounds on all five judges scorecards to regain the county title that he won when he was 11 years old.
The star of that weekend however was Bantry’s Cillian O’Brien. Boxing in his second championships, Cillian competed in the Boy2 35kg class where he defeated Owen Walsh of the Fr Horgans ABC in the semi-final on Saturday.
Cillian was then beaten by the talented Ben Maguire of the Leeside Lough ABC in the final, after a tough three-round bout.
Assistant coach Andrew Desmond, said: ‘Cillian was outstanding over the weekend. He was unlucky not to win the title, but we couldn’t have asked for anymore from him as he left it all in the ring on both days.’
