Mark Kells produced an all action display to progress through to the 70kgs National Junior Championship final with victory over Connacht champion Zach Maloney last Friday night.

Kells has made a rapid rise this year as he stormed his way to the Ulster title and he continued that at the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin.

Erne Boxing Club’s Kells was pitted against Maloney of Emerald Boxing Club and he started the contest very fast.

Kells came forward menacingly throwing powerful punches but his opponent was both resilient and very game. However, Kells landed with some hurtful shots to stun his opponent and take the opener.

Kells maintained the ferocity in the first half of round two but Maloney responded well in the second part of the session and caught a tiring Kells with some well-timed jabs and counters. But once again Kells drew upon all his reserves to up the pace in the final session and bully his opponent with a high output of punches and collect a well-deserved unanimous points decision and progress to next week’s National final.

“Mark Kells rise up the ranks has been sensational, he’s now our 11th National finalist in nine years and hopefully this time next week will be our fourth All-Ireland champion,” said Erne Boxing Club coach Sean Crowley.

And the action continued for the club on Saturday night in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, as they brought a team of five to the Mid Ulster Scoolboy/girl championships.

Harris Crowley was first up in the Boy 3 (Under 14’s) 46kgs semi-final against Shane McCave (Old School BC). Crowley started purposefully landing with solid jabs and crisp right-crosses to take the opener.

Despite Crowley making a good start to the second, the session was edged by his strong Monaghan opponent. However, in the final session Crowley changed his approach and used hit and move tactics. The strategy worked as Crowley won the round big and deservedly took a unanimous points decision.

Day one of the competition finished on a high as unsung Oisin Cassidy, who was having his very first competitive contest, found himself in a straight final against Luke Rogers (Omagh Boy & Girls BC) in the Boy 1 (Under 12’s) 50kgs class.

Cassidy started well and caught his opponent with several hard jabs before having to endure a spirited fightback. In rounds two and three both boxers threw punches non-stop, however, after three torrid rounds of action the judges returned a unanimous decision in favour Cassidy who now progresses to next week’s Ulster final.

On Sunday, Harris Crowley was seeking to join him and was pitted against Newry’s Jamie Gray (St Monicas BC) in the Boy 3–46 kgs final. Crowley pressed in the opener as Gray sought to counter but as few punches landed it was a close round to call.

In round two Crowley found the range and scored with some good shots and a very good flurry of shots in the final part of the round ensured he took the session.

The final round was a very tactical affair as both looked to counter punch and again the round was very close. The split-decision verdict came as no surprise but agonisingly for the Erne favourite it was awarded in favour of Gray.

The Erne Boxing Club’s remaining three competitors all progressed to Ulster finals by way of walkover. Thomas McDonagh collected the Boy 1 (Under 12’s) 29kgs title, Kaci Crowley the Girl 2 (Under 13’s) 55kgs title and Joanna Czerwinska the Girl 4 (Under 15’s) 68kgs title as there were no opponents in their respective age/weight categories.

On the Mid Ulster Championships, coach Crowley, commented: “To have four out of five progress through the Mid Ulster championships and make it to the Ulster final is a great return but we all feel for young Harris as this is the third year in succession that he has bailed out at this stage on a dreaded split-decision. However, he is very talented boxer and will comeback better.

“Oisin Cassidy did brilliantly and is a real credit to Greg Copeland and Aidan Kelly who manage the club’s development squad. To win a Mid Ulster Open title and reach an Ulster final in your first competitive match is a great achievement and with a bit of luck more success may follow.”

The Erne Boxing Club are holding a family-friendly Quiz Night in Blakes Bar, Derrylin this Friday April 7 (starting 8.30pm) to help raise funds for the boxers competing in the upcoming Ulster Finals and National championships and the club urges your support.