Amateur Scene

01 April 2008 – by Bobby Lavery

St Bronaghs, Rostrevor, Co. Down

After a lapse in boxing in the 1980s, it wasnt until September, 1992 that the club reopened with coaches Gavin Dougan and John McCann.

The club had a lot of success with boxers such as James McDonald, Shane Cunningham, Declan Trainor, Chris OHare, Bernard Blair, Eamon Breen all winning mid-Ulster and Ulster titles. Some of these boxers also took the club to six All-Ireland finals before, on May 26, 2003, Trainor won the U-14 63kg All-Ireland title after triumphing in three tough contests.

Declan went on to reach another two All-Ireland finals before claiming his second title, the U19 crown on May 12, 2007, with a thrilling victory over Ulster Senior Champion Ciaran McAuley.

Earlier on that year, Rory Lavery came from nowhere to lift the Boy 1 33kg title after beating old rival Sean Higginson from Belfast.

Rory is currently in training for the All-Irelands and is hoping to claim his second title.

The club has represented Ulster and Ireland on a number of occasions, boxing against England, Italy, Canada. Trainor travelled to South Africa on a two-match tour, winning both contests.

The club currently has 20 boxers in training and now has 3 coaches Dougan, McCann and Bobby Lavery.

They held a very successful tournament in the Balmoral Hotel, Warrenpoint, on February 14, which gave them a chance to showcase some of their up-and-coming boxers. Indeed, some names to look out for in the future are Ryan Lavery, Shane McGarry, Dylan McCabe and Brendan Magee.

The club trains Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7.30 pm to 9.30pm, with members from 9 years old and up.

For any further information, contact the coaches: Gavin Dougan (302 62906) and John McCann (417 38866).

If you would like to see your club featured in Club Focus, contact Bobby at blavery@irish-boxing.com.