Twin Towns boxer Caoimhin Connolly to fight in support bout at youth international

Twin Towns boxer Caoimhin Connolly will line up in one of the support exhibitions to a youth international between Ireland and Wales in Derry this weekend.

The iconic Guildhall will light up as 16 bouts, including three exhibitions, are on a bumper bill.

Connolly, the recently crowned Youth 48kgs champion, is one of six Irish boxers to be involved in exhibitions.

The stylish flyweight will meet Harley Salinger from the Sacred Heart BC in Dublin.

Connolly recently overcame Jack Willis at his home show in Jackson’s Hotel, stopping his opponent in the second round.

Last month, Connolly overcame Kurt Kinsella to land the National Youth 48kgs title at the National Stadium.

Connolly won gold at the 2024 William Wallace Box Cup in Scotland and he took the Billy ’Spider’ Kelly Cup for the best youth at the 2024 County Donegal Boxing Board Awards having taken the award for most improved boxer 12 months earlier.

The Guildhall holds real history in the sweet science. It was there, in 1982, where Charle Nash recorded the last of his 25 professional wins, beating Frank McCord in a lightweight bout 

That win remains a landmark for Derry boxing as it was the headline fight on the last pro show held in the Maiden City.

This will be the first youth international in two years for Ireland.

Ireland last met Wales in a dual-nations in February, 2022, in a predominantly youth programme. That ended in five wins apiece for each federation.

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The Irish team have been in training at Dealgan BC, Louth and at the National Stadium, Dublin, and concluded their final training session on Saturday.

Doors open at the Guildhall from 6pm. Tickets: Adults - €20; Children, under 16 - €10; Club bundles -10 tickets €150/£150.

Donegal will also be represented at an Ulster v Wales Exhibition on Sunday, March 2, at the Corpus Christi Boxing Cliub in Belfast.

In a 48kgs bout, Carys McFadden of Dunfanaghy Boxing Club is slated to face Lacey Dalling.

Nadine Pearson from St John Bosco squares up to Skye Taylor at 52kgs, while Kerry Brown of Convoy faces Ellie Cain at 57kgs.

Carndonagh middleweight Kieran Cunningham gloves off with Mitchell Jones and at 80kgs Sean Doohan, of Dunfanaghy BC, clashes with Patrick Price.

The first bell on Sunday is at 12 noon.