The Portlaoise southpaw took his professional record to 22 wins from 23 fights with a sixth-round stoppage victory over Jesus Martinez in Chicago last weekend.

Belfast bantamweight Ryan Burnett admitted he’s gutted after losing his WBA title on a fourth-round retirement in Glasgow on Saturday night.

Michael Conlan switched to southpaw to hammer out a Madison Square Garden hat-trick in a two-round demolition of David Berna at the iconic New York boxing venue on St Patrick’s Day.

Most of us would be thrilled to be granted the one wish — and even a genie only offers three — but Irish sport is a vast tent that covers many tribes so here are 10 stories we hope to see written in the 12 months to come.

DARREN SUTHERLAND looks set to fulfil another ambition tonight by claiming a national senior title at the National Stadium.