Two wins for Donegal boxer Matthew McCole at round robin tournament in Belfast

Donegal boxer Matthew McCole recorded two useful wins in a round robin tournament in Belfast.

The Illies Golden Gloves light-middle defeated Hungary’s Dominic Enekes on Thursday night before overpowering Rio Gordon from England on Friday night.

The Girdwood Community Hub in Belfast hosted U23 teams from Ireland, Ulster, Hungary and England for what will have been a key part of preparations for the 2025 European U23 Championships, which take place in Hungary in November.

McCole, the Irish Elite champion earlier this year, was part of the Ulster selection and he defeated Enekes on a unanimous decision on Thursday.

The Dungloe native also took a clean sweep of the cards against Gordon on Friday night.

McCole made his international debut this year and competed at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, where he was the victim of a harsh 3-2 split decision defeat at the hands of Ronald Chavez Junior of Philippines.

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Falcarragh woman Ciara Craig, who boxes out of the Glengormley Boxing Club, was also in action in the round robin.

Craig went down on a 4-1 split against Rebeka Dobos and on a unanimous decision to Aya Hijazi. On Saturday, Craig, who won an Irish Intermediate title in 2024, took on Rebecca Kavanagh in a 60kgs exhibition.