Doohan wins in Edinburgh as Connolly falls on wrong end of split decision

Dunfanaghy Boxing Club’s Sean Doohan recorded a victory while boxing for Ireland in Edinburgh on Saturday while there was a narrow defeat for Twin Towns Boxing Club’s Caoimhin Connolly.

Doohan was the co-captain of the Ireland squad for the international tournament against Scotland.

Doohan overcame Rory Mackenzie of Scotland in a junior bout matched at 80kgs.

Doohan, who missed out on a place at the European U17 Championships, had defeated Martin Collins from Baldoyle BC in Dublin to land the Irish U17 80kgs crown in 2025.

The first International of 2026 ended in a defeat, 11-5, for Ireland in what was a key development project for underage boxers.

In a youth 50kgs bout, Aaron Sarwar of Scotland edged out Connolly on a 3-2 split decision.

On Saturday-week, Connolly will take part in an exhibition bout as part of the Fight Night at the Valley pro show in the Finn Valley Centre.

Connolly was the Irish Youth 48kgs champion in 2025 and he made his debut in an international vest in 2025 having won a gold at the William Wallace Box Cup in Scotland in 2024. 

Last year, he lost out to Kurt Kinsella in an Irish U19 final before beating Kinsella in the Youth final.

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The Irish team, which includes 15 boxers, was led and managed by Aine McLoughlin of Spartans BC Cork, and coached by Linda Morgan (Arklow BC Wicklow), Ralph McKay (St. Paul’s BC Antrim) and Garry Kehoe (Marble City BC, Kilkenny).