Derrylin Boxing Club had a very successful weekend of boxing with victories registered in both Antrim and Birmingham.

Rising prospect Ryan Copeland got the weekend off to a winning start with a unanimous points victory over Caolan Wallace (St Paul’s BC) in a thrilling Ulster Boy 4 (Under 15s) Novice final in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Both combatants started fast and ripped into each other with heavy punches but just as his Derry opponent was getting on top Copeland scored with a good combination to shake his opponent and force him to take a standing count. Copeland’s final salvo of punches was enough to edge the opening round.

In the next session Copeland paid little regard to defence as he sought to finish his opponent but his enthusiasm cost him as he regularly walked on to counters. Despite Copeland being busier, Wallace landed more clean shots to take the second session.

With the contest in the balance, Copeland upped his game and with a tightened defence comfortably out-worked his tiring opponent in the last to earn a unanimous 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 point’s victory and collect his first Ulster title.

The win saw Derrylin Boxing Club crown its 14th Ulster champion and collect their 35th Ulster title to date. Derrylin Boxing Club coach Sean Crowley commented, “Although the performance was a bit flawed it was definitely 10 out of 10 for effort and tenacity. After collecting two Ulster silvers recently at Intermediate level we are delighted to have a new Ulster champion and title in the club.” The following Sunday over in Birmingham in England, Marty Reilly was competing for Northern Ireland at the CYP (Clubs for Young People) UK Championships in the quarter final stage.

Facing Reilly was the Midlands Zone champion Jabir Hayer (Triumph ABC) in the Class C (Under 19s) 57kgs category.

Reilly started brightly, stalking his opponent and picked his shots well. Solid jabs bloodied his opponent’s nose and some hurtful body shots had Hayer gulping for air as Reilly clearly won the opening session.

In round two, a confident Reilly upped the pace and started to really open up with heavy shots. Good body attacks led to the opening count and the following onslaught from Reilly saw his opponent take a second count before the referee called a halt to the one-sided contest.

Reilly returns to England next week where he’ll meet the multi-titled and current English champion Calum French (Birtley ABC) in the semi-finals.

“Marty’s boxing brilliantly at moment and has being working meticulously hard in the gym. He has a very tough challenge ahead, not only does he face a quality operator but he also has to face him on home soil in a region where it difficult to get a fair decision. However, he’s in very good form and may pull off a shock.” Crowley added.

Whilst Marty Reilly is competing in the North-East of England, Derrylin Boxing Club has fourteen members of the club in action against a variety of opposition from Dublin, Meath, Leitrim and Roscommon as the club is hosting their first tournament of the season at Equinox, Derrylin this Saturday, November 23.

The boxing starts at 7pm and entry is only £3 for adults and free for Under 16s see www.facebook.com/derrylinboxing for further details.