Dylan McDonagh wants title next following Good Counsel test

Just hours before his fellow Jobstown little man, Carl McDonald, claimed BUI featherweight Celtic title success Dylan McDonagh was praying he gets a shot at the bantamweight version of the strap.

The unassuming Tallaght fighter passed the test Georgi Georgiev always brings in impressive fashion in his first six rounder and first fight in 2018. 

The win puts the Frank Stacey-trained bantam in line for the beautifully designed gateway belt and the eager-to-get-going McDonagh is keen for a tilt.

“Whatever the team want next for me I’ll do it. I am eligible for a BUI Celtic title and I wouldn’t mind that it’s just about getting an opponent. Please God that is next for me,” he told Irish-Boxing.com following his third career win.

There has been talk of a possible all-Jobstown jaunt and a McDonald versus McDonagh clash has come up more than once.

However, the older but lighter of the neighbours doesn’t forsee the derby taking place.

McDonald just registered one of the performances of the year to claim the featherweight version of the title, but is a super bantamweight and after his Regan Buckley defeat was instructed by his team bantamweight was too much of an ask and off the radar moving forward.

McDonagh on the other hand claims he could do super fly and doesn’t believe he should move up to super bantam to get a tilt.

“The bantamweight is vacant, but I don’t know who is eligible for it? We might have to get a Welsh or Scottish lad. I could do super flyweight if I wanted, but I am happy at bantamweight and please god I get a title shot at this weight.”

“I know there was talk of Carl McDonald or Colin O’Donovan, but they are big for their weights so I am not sure if they could be made at bantam?”

Regardless of what is next, McDonagh [3(1)-0] did well against a fighter with upset previous on Saturday night having stopped Sam Cantwell and drawing with Ramesh Ahmadi.

‘The Firecracker’ admits the Bulgarian asked questions during the 59-56 win but he revelled in the test and wants more of the same moving forward.

“I was getting stronger as the fight was going on. I worked on that and I can continue to work on that. Six rounds in a pro fight at that pace is a bonus I suppose.

“I knew he was a step up and was expecting a good fight. He has been in with some good guys and has performed well so that win is good for me. I can take confidence from it going into the next one.”

“I just want to be busy and to get more rounds in. He caught me in the second round. I know from sparring I can take a good shot and he caught me good. He also made me work six rounds. I stepped off him a bit to box,” he added before reiterating he enjoyed the challenge.

“It’s enjoyable because you’re being pushed and I want to be pushed. I’d love more fights like that.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)