Persistence rewarded as McMonagle advances

CATHAL McMONAGLE was rewarded for perseverance last night when the referee stopped his super heavyweight contest with 30 seconds remaining to send him through to tomorrow’s quarter final stages of the European Union boxing championships at the National Stadium.

McMonagle, boxing Kurban Gunebakan (Turkey), a bronze medallist two years ago, trailed 6-2 at the end of the first round when the Turk got through with some accurate punches. He came forward more in the second but was still getting caught with left hook that extended Gunebakan’s lead to 10-5. He started the third round well but was caught by the left jab as he came forward.

Facing a 10 point deficit going into the final round, McMonagle hunted his man down and eventually caught him with a big left that resulted in damage to the Turk’s right eye and the referee stopped the contest in favour of the Donegal man with the Turk leading 21-11.