Young Donegal boxers record excellent wins in international tournament in Italy

There was a strong Donegal presence on a selection of Irish boxers who overcame an Italian youth selection on Saturday in an international tournament.

In all, 11 Donegal boxers made the trip to Marcianise, southern Italy, with eight wins. 

At the Liceo Scientifico Statale Federico Quercia, the tournament run by Excelsior Boxing Calenia Marcianise, Ireland won by eight bouts to seven.

Dungloe duo Lena O’Donnell and Ellis O’Donnell defeated Maria Piccolo and Gilda Spagnuolo in contests matched at 43kgs and 54kgs while Sara Tennyson of Derryveagh bagged a victory over Fabiola Lampasona in a 53kgs clash.

St Bridget’s, Clonmany lad Patrick McDaid overcame Italy’s Tommaso Corella while his club-mate Rowen Doherty was victorious against Luigi Nalli.

There was no joy, however, for St Bridget’s pair Tyler McGonigle and Conan Kearney, who lost out to Mario Reale and Matteo De Micco.

David Tennyson recorded his latest win on foreign soil, the Derryveagh BC puncher earning victory over Jacopo Pirozzi.

Raphoe Boxing Club’s Gary McNamara had his hand raised after a win against Omar Perrone. 

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Luke Kelly defeated Alessio Guida, but his Dunfanaghy BC team-mate Conor Durning lost out to Gianmarco Galdi after a hard-fought scrap.

There were four other Irish fighters in attendance, but Gateway BC’s Rhiley May Cox, Luke Finan and Jack Willis were beaten by Sofia Santonastaso, Matteo Quaranta and Bilal Belmokhtar, while Castlerea’s Frances Bergin was beaten by Milena Iavazzo.