Dominant Paddy Donovan stops Tyrone McKenna as Liam Paro comes into view now for ‘The Real Deal’

Paddy Donovan dominated Tyrone McKenna before earning a win via a fifth round stoppage on the Once Upon A Time card at Croke Park.

In the battle of the southpaws, it was Limerick welter ‘The Real Deal’ who took victory when Paul McCullagh, the referee, called a half two minutes and 33 seconds into the fifth round on the advice of the ringside medic.

Donovan moved to 16-2, 12KOs after a powerful display to outgun his old sparring partner.

McKenna, tough as ever, wasn’t permitted to continue after a bad cut opened atop his right eye.

Trained by former WBO world middle weight champion Andy Lee, Donovan is on the rise and the march again – now surely eyeing some big bouts ahead.

A corking body shot from Donovan – who won the first round – put McKenna on the floor 30 seconds into the second round. On the resumption, Donovan really went to work.

These two have been regular sparring partners over the years, but are at very different chapters of their respective stories now.

Two defeats to Lewis Crocker in Belfast – one a DQ and the other a split decision – briefly derailed his express train quest to become a world contender.

Donovan, though, returned to take a majority decision win over Karen Chukhadzhian in Mannheim in May – a victory that perhaps hasn’t earned the plaudits it deserved.

Donovan is the IBF no. 1 world welter contender and is also next in line for the IBF strap, held by Liam Paro. He proclaimed recently: “This isn’t over! We’re going to continue this story and I will become champion of the world.”

In 2023, McKenna was involved in an absolute war with Crocker, who took a unanimous decision after 10 rounds at the SSE Arena in Belfast. Mckenna beat Dylan Moran last September having been stopped by Harlem Eubank in Brighton six months beforehand.

McKenna entered to a chorus of Oro Sé do Bheatha ’Bhaile with Donovan stirring the attendance when he came into Country Roads. The Limerick ace is certainly angling to get back “to the place I belong”.

This was a fight that Donovan didn’t have to take, but a chance to dance under such a stage was too good to turn down.

Donovan, in the Kronk-style yellow and red trunks, was up on the ropes and taking in the acclaim after a second win in quick succession.