Barrett tops bill in Rylane tournament

RYLANE Boxing Club is back in action tonight with a rescheduled tournament featuring a star-studded bill at the Community Centre in Aghabullogue.

There are 14 bouts down for decision and at least three of them will be of national interest.

David Barrett, brother of two-time former Irish senior light welterweight champion Seanie, will square up to Craig McCarthy from St Paul’s Club in Waterford, a former Irish youths champion who boxed at welterweight in this season’s intermediate championships. The fact that Barrett is conceding a couple of kilos adds an extra dimension to the bout.

The heavyweight contest should be a thriller between two big punchers.

Mike Fouhy (St Colman’s), who made his international debut at the multi-nations tournament in Ballybunion in November, will fancy his chances against the less experienced universities champion Eamonn Eaman (UCC Boxing Club), who has also been impressing this season.

Current Munster middleweight intermediate champion Donal Óg O’Leary will renew rivalry with Niall Healy (Bantry). The Rylane man came out on the right side of a close decision the last time they met in the final of the Munster intermediate championships.

Tom Murray (Rylane) has been forced to withdraw from the bill due to business commitments and Thomas Maguire (Ballyduff) will take his place, against Keith Whelan (St Paul’s).

Whelan lost to Ireland’s latest sensation, Darren Sutherland, in the semi -finals of the national senior championships and would have provided an interesting challenge for Murray.

Gordon Ryan, formerly of Liscarroll boxing club and now with Rylane, will make his debut for his new club against Ridal Raddock (St Colman’s).