There was a strong sense of déjà vu for the Erne Boxing Club at the Ulster Nine Counties Schoolboy/girl championships in Burnfoot, Co Donegal recently with boxing siblings Kaci and Harris Crowley returning with gold and silver medals respectively.
Harris Crowley got his campaign off to a positive start with a unanimous points win over Adam McDaid (St Johns Donegal BC) in the Boy 3 (Under 14’s) 44kgs class. McDaid started brightly and got the better of the early action but as the opener progress Crowley started to find his range.
Crowley dominated the second and third sessions scoring frequently with strong right leads to run out a clear and deserved points winner.
The following weekend Crowley was back in action against Ben Sherry (Emyvale BC) in the final. The opening round was very quiet with Crowley pressing forward intent making Sherry miss and looking to counter and very few punches of note landed. Sherry was busier but Crowley the more accurate.
In the next session Sherry upped the pace and landed with the better punches but Crowley rallied to take the third scoring well with shots to both body and head. Agonisingly for the Erne favourite for the second consecutive season he had to settle for silver after the split decision once again went against him.
Kaci Crowley claimed gold and her forth Ulster title to date in bittersweet circumstances. Due to the withdrawal of prospective opponents she won the Girl 2 (Under 13’s) 48kgs title by way of walkover.
Erne Boxing Club father coach Sean Crowley commented: “Although it’s disappointing to drop a split decision for the second consecutive year, we were very pleased with Harris’s performance. This was his first competition of the season and despite some ring rust he’s shown the qualities from the previous term and no doubt will continue to make good progress this season.
“Kaci’s fine form and accolades from last season are resulting in her now being avoided. She’s already had to cope with two opponent withdraw from contests against her this season and its disappointing that she didn’t get the opportunity to win her fourth Ulster title in the ring but she’s still improving all the time and worked really hard in preparation for these championships and more than deserved the reward.”