Donegal boxers overcome Galway in 75th anniversary tournament 

A Donegal boxing select overcame Galway in an inter-county tournament to help mark the County Donegal Boxing Board’s 75th anniversary at Jackson’s Hotel on Thursday night.

When the sums were totted, Donegal were the 7-2 winners in the Pyramid Suite of the Ballybofey hotel with local ace Caoimhin Connolly recording a big win to end the night in style.

In a real barnburner of a fight, Caoimhin Connolly of Twin Towns BC overcame Jason McDonagh from Galway.

A scrappy if entertaining affair was given to Connolly in a Youth 2 53kgs contest on a unanimous decision.

At one stage, both boxers were given warnings by the referee for holding but it was Connolly - who was in aggressive form from first bell to last - who took the win.

There was an impressive win for Harry Magee of Raphoe Boxing Club who stopped Clive O’Donnell in the third round of their boy 4 53kgs joust.

Ryan Glackin of St Bridget’s BC, Clonmany had a unanimous decision in a bout matches at Boy 3 44kgs win while Patrick McDaid, also from the Clonmany club, was a narrow 2-1 winner in a Boy 3 68kgs contest.

Rowan Doherty took a clean sweep of cards against Martin McDonagh at Boy 4 44kgs and his St Bridget’s colleague Shea Devlin overcame Tommy Ward in a Boy 3 48kgs clash. 

Shane Duke, guesting for Donegal in a Junior 2 fight at 53kgs, earned a slender 2-1 win over John McDonagh from Galway. 

Three-time Irish champion Roisin Hegarty of Twin Towns Boxing Club took part in an exhibition against Dukes BC’s Riona Devine.

Isla McShane (St John Bosco), Keelan Kearney (St Bridget’s) and Conan Kearney (St Bridgets) were also involved in exhibitions.

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Noah Quinn (Carndonagh) lost out to JP Ward from Galway in a Boy 4 52kgs fight while there was no joy for Raphoe BC’s Rian Patton, whose ring exile ended with a defeat to Jack Wills of Galway in a 52kgs contest at U19 level.

Former world title challenger Jason Quigley - whose first ever fight, against Noel McBride at the age of seven, was in the very same room - was among the large crowd.