The Erne Boxing Club had a successful visit to Yorkshire, England drawing the team match 3-3 after some fine performances.
Caoilfhionn Crowley whose original opponent withdrew on the day of the tournament got the team off to a good start by getting the better of replacement opponent Emma Richardson (Seacroft BC) in a Skills (no decision) contest.
Thomas McDonagh competing for the first time overseas was next in action for the Ernesiders and after a very close tactical battle with Jack Jones (Scunthorpe BC), he took a split decision to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
All three rounds were very close but the good jabs landed by McDonagh saw him home.
The great start came to end in the next contest after Harris Crowley was harshly judged to have lost on points to Billy Toft (Tommy Coyles BC).
The contest appeared finely poised at a round-a-piece going into last session and Crowley put in a masterful display in the final round to leave the Erne team feeling aggrieved when the decision went in favour of the home boxer.
Cameron Suttle and Joanna Czerwinska both came up against tough and tricky southpaw opposition. Suttle had a war against the very talented Luke McDonnell (Tigers BC).
Both boxers threw heavy punches and landed big shots throughout but the greater quality of work came from McDonnell and the contest was abandoned in his favour at the end of round one after a spent Suttle was retired.
Czerwinska made a bright start against Sophie Banks (Tommy Coyles BC) and was edging the opener, until a late flurry from Banks turned things in her favour.
Spurred on by her late success in round one, Banks won the second session but Czerwinska rallied to take the last to leave the verdict in doubt. But agonisingly, once again for the Erne team the contest was awarded to the home favourite.
With the team match now 3-1 in favour of the hosts, the Erne Boxing Club needed a big performance to turn the tide.
Mark Kells rose to the occasion to scored a second round TKO victory over Yorkshire Middleweight Youth champion Reece Gooch (Kingston Upon Hull BC).
The tall Gooch tried to use his height and reach advantages but constant pressure from Kells forced him to stand and trade.
Two standing counts in round two ensured Kells of victory and close the deficit in the team match.
In the final contest of the evening Bernard McGovern was pitted against home favourite Jake Linford (Selby Boxing Academy) in a Senior contest.
The first two rounds were quite tactical and McGovern got the reward for his patient approach as he counterpunched very well to edge the sessions.
In the final round the contest was put beyond doubt when a good righthook counter floored Linford and McGovern took the session clearly.
However, hearts were in mouth when a split decision was announced but thankfully for the visitors the verdict rightly went in favour of McGovern.
Erne Boxing Club Head Coach Sean Crowley commented, “I’m extremely proud of the team, all put in fine performances and arguably we deserved to come away with a team victory but have no complaints. Kells put in a big performance but despite conceding weight and having the added pressure of being scheduled to compete over three three-minute rounds for the first time; he overcame a very good opponent rather comfortably.
“Bernard McGovern’s comeback continues to make great strides. After winning his first Tyrone & Fermanagh Senior title last week he beat a more experienced opponent this weekend to score his sixth win in seven contests since returning to the sport a year ago and is now ready for a step up in class.
“Greg Copeland did a very good job working the corners of Czerwinska and McDonagh. And it was great to see him lead young Thomas to victory over his first international opponent.
It was unfortunate that Caoilfhion’s original opponent withdrew from the match and that her replacement would only compete in a skills contest as juding by her performance, she was denied a certain win.”
The Erne Boxing Club advise that the international duty continues for the club this week with rising star Kaci Crowley competing in the Golden Girls Championships in Boras, Sweden at the weekend. The Golden Girls competition is the largest female boxing tournament in the world and will no doubt present the young Erne starlet with her biggest challenge to date.