Darren O’Neill hopes to inspire a new golden generation for Irish boxing

All may have appeared to have changed utterly in Irish boxing, but the presence of veteran Darren O’Neill in tonight’s National Elite Championship finals is both a link to glories of the recent past as well as the possibility of a brighter future.

The Kilkenny veteran will compete in his 11th elite decider this evening at the National Stadium as he aims for a seventh title and his third heavyweight crown on the bounce when he takes on Athlone’s Ken Okungbowa.

As captain of the London 2012 Olympic team, O’Neill is one of the few well-known fighters competing in this year’s edition of the national championships, which is otherwise severely lacking in terms of star billing.