After winning three Ulster Youth titles and their boxers gaining qualification to the National Finals, Derrylin Boxing Club were optimistic of further success at the Mid Ulster Schoolboy Championship in Oram, Co Monaghan last week.

All three entrants competed in semi-final contests on Day One of the championships with mixed success.

Brandon Cassidy in only his second ever contest made his championship debut in the Boy 1 (Under 12's) 44kgs class and was pitted against Tadgh McNammee (Two Castles BC).

The opening round was quite level as both boxers probed for openings but in the later two sessions the better quality work and cleaner shots were landed by southpaw McNammee.

Cassidy never stopped trying and put in a gutsy display but the more experienced Tyrone boxer won a deserved points decision.

Derrylin hopeful Hanlon Crowley put in an impressive display in his Boy 3 (Under 14's) 46kgs semi-final against Andrew Bready (Silverbridge BC).

Crowley started fast and applied constant pressure against his tall opponent and after forcing his opponent to take two standing counts in the second session the contest was stopped in his favour and Crowley progressed to the final.

Derrylin's third entrant Aaron Burns was handed a tough assignment after being drawn against Calum Bradley (Sacred Heart Omagh BC) this season's Nine Counties Champion in the Boy 3 (Under 14's) 48kgs class.

Burns surprised many in attendance by matching Bradley punch for punch and putting in a very determined display. However, the cleaner and more eye-catching shots came from Bradley to earn a deserved points win.

Hanlon Crowley was back in action the following Saturday drawn against the accomplished Aaron Mckenna (Old School BC) in the final.

McKenna the two-time National Champion and Ireland representative at the European Schoolboy championships had the reputation of being a real force to be reckoned with. However, Crowley was equally accomplished and competed on even terms throughout all three rounds.

McKenna set a frantic pace and landed with the cleaner shots in the opening two rounds to establish a narrow lead. Unfortunately, a spirited fight-back in the final session by Crowley wasn't enough to overturn the deficit as he dropped a close points decision.

Derrylin Boxing Club coach Sean Crowley commented, "Although our boxers didn't progress all three were beaten by the eventual Mid Ulster champions and possibly by boxers that will go all the way in the competition.

Cassidy fought really well for a lad in his first championship contest. Aaron Burns did himself proud and fought very gamely against a competent opponent.

"Hanlon also did brilliantly and was up against an exceptional talent but he was extremely competitive so the future bodes very well for him despite falling short on this occasion.

"The club is very proud of their efforts and is optimistic that they will generate more success for the club in the future." Derrylin Boxing Club now look forward to this weekend and the National Youth Championship finals with Anthony Malanaphy competing in the Youth 2 (Under 17's) 52kgs class, Colm McElhill in the Youth 1 (Under 16's) 63kgs class and Stephen Stokes in the Youth 1 (Under 16's) 66kgs class.