The Portlaoise BC celebrated a unique double on Saturday after brothers Michael and Bernie O’Reilly secured National Youth titles at the National Stadium in Dublin. Michael claimed his seventh Irish belt with a 15-7 win over St Michael’s Athy welterweight Christy Joyce, and Bernie secured his seventh Irish title after earning a first round stoppage over Patrick McDonagh in the light-heavyweight class.
“Michael was superb today. He personified everything that is good about boxing. Christy Joyce was also fantastic. He never stopped coming forward and he deserves enormous credit. Bernie really came through for us this this afternoon and we’re absolutely delighted with the two wins, said Portlaoise head coach Pat Ryan.
Meanwhile, while the O’Reilly’s were celebrating a double, there was double disappointment for the Toome ABC after Enda Kennedy and Thomas Waites lost back-to-back finals in the 60Kg and 64Kg classes. Kennedy was beaten by the impressive Keane McMahon and the equally impressive Kieran Forde posted an 11-5 decision over Waites.
Hugh Myres collected the first belt of the day following his countback win over Limerick’s Joe Sweeney and Joe Fitzpatrick ensured the the Immaculata BC weren’t going empty handed with an 8-6 verdict over Dean Walsh.
Rosemary Doherty had her hand raised in triumph at the expense of Maggie Doherty and George Bates beat Stephen Mulholland in a top class bantamweight final. Michelle Lynch and Claire Grace collected the female lightweight and welterweight crowns following wins over Clonmel BC and Inniskeen BC prospects Shauna O’Keefe and Shauna Flynn.
And there was further disappointment for a Shauna when Shauna Donovan lost out to Lisa Ward in the middleweight class.
The heavyweight honours went to Jack Morrissey, the Sacre Coeur ace claiming a 20-16 decision over Daniel O’Brien.
Oliwia Samsanow and AIBA World Youth bronze medalists Katie Rowland and Michael Walsh received walkovers.
