The Erne Boxing Club kickstarted what appears to be a hectic start to the new boxing season with a team trip to the Haslev Box Cup in Denmark last weekend.

The club returned with two gold and three silver medals but were disappointed not to have added another gold or two.

Ciaran Cassidy got the visitors off to a winning start with a solid display, out-boxing his Danish opponent Mieszko Buderkeiwicz (IL Ros Boksing) in all three rounds to win a clear unanimous points decision in the Junior (U-17s) 48kg class.

Oisin Gilheaney was next up against Belgium’s National Squad representative Santino Leonard (Belgium) in the Junior (U-17s) 54kg class.

Leonard started well, and showed his boxing qualities, but Gilheaney raised the pace to take over midway through the first round.

In rounds two and three Gilheaney applied constant pressure, forcing his opponent to continually hold and this resulted in two point deductions.

The decision was never in doubt, and Gilheaney after an impressive performance was deservedly declared a unanimous points winner.

Erne Boxing Club’s third boxer in semi-final action was Cameron Suttle against Danish champion Francis Fjordour (CIK) in the Men’s Elite 63.5kgs (Light-Welterweight) class.

Both boxers traded big shots early on and Suttle was forced to change tactics to try and negate Fjordour by boxing on the move, but it wasn’t enough and the local favourite – roared on by the crowd – was a deserved victor in an absorbing contest.

The Erne Boxing Club had four boxers involved in action on the Finals day.

Oisin Gilheaney won gold after his opponent was disqualified for failure to make the weight (his Ukrainian opponent Semen Topchli came in 4kgs over the 54kg weight limit).

Ciaran Cassidy, only 14 years old, boxing in Junior (U-17s) category, was up against an older opponent, Rida Aziz Al Tamimi (Vollsmose BK) in his 48kg final.

Cassidy boxed very well and won the first round, but the greater maturity and strength of his Danish opponent told in the final two sessions as he dropped a points decision in a competitive between two skilful operators.

The Ernesiders were aggrieved with the decisions in the remaining two finals.

Caoilfhionn Crowley was involved in a back and forth contest against Denmark’s Amina Shah (A Olympia BK) in the Junior (U-17s) 66kg class.

Whilst the contest was extremely close, most felt her better quality punches should have been more than enough to secure the win, but the decision agonisingly went in favour of Shah.

Revenge

The Erne Boxing Club were seeking some revenge in their final contest, as Anthony Malanaphy, after receiving a bye to the final, was pitted against Francis Fjordour, who beat teammate Cameron Suttle in the semi-final.

Malanaphy started really well by boxing on the move and making his opponent miss before picking him off to edge the first two rounds.

In the final round, the teak-tough Fjordour came on strong, but Malanaphy dug in deep and fought his way out of trouble when he needed to.

However, toward the very end of the contest, the referee gave Malanaphy a very soft standing count and this no doubt swayed the judges as again the decision controversially went in favour of the home boxers.

The Erne Boxing Club won a further medal when Amy Nolan was awarded gold in the Youth (U-19s) 63kg class after her opponent withdrew from the contest.

Erne Boxing Club Head Coach Sean Crowley said: “Despite being shy of a win or two, it was a great weekend and experience for our boxers. It’s been over a decade since we were last at this tournament.

“The Haslev Box Cup brings back fond memories, as it was the first international competition the club visited way back in 2010, and it was great for our young boxers, Ciaran Cassidy and Oisin Gilheaney, to box in Scandinavia for the first time.

“All of the team put in solid performances and gave their all, so on the whole we are very happy, despite not getting a few more wins.”

The Erne Boxing Club advise that they have a very busy week ahead with new boxers Lana Kelly and Neil Walmsley boxing in the Ulster Novice Championships, and Anthony Malanaphy and Cameron Suttle straight back into action in the Ulster Senior Championships in Belfast during the week.

Then on Saturday night, the club is hosting its first boxing tournament of the season at The Enniskillen Hotel.

The main event will feature ex-professional boxer Steve Collins Jnr (son of former WBO World Champion Steve Collins), who has returned to the amateur ranks to pursue his Olympic dream.

Collins will be taking on London Elite Champion Tim Olla (Romford ABC), who was a crowd favourite earlier this year at the club’s last tournament in May.

More details and ticket information can be found by visiting the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.cm/erneboxing.