RATHKEALE BOXING  GIRLS BRING HOME GOLD AND SILVER FROM THE  ALL-IRELANDS

Last weekend was a very busy one for the club as we had four lady boxers looking for coveted gold medals at the National Stadium in Dublin.The four were Nell Fox, Emer Feane, Georgina O’Sullivan and Claire Kiely. With the weigh in taking place early Friday morning and the draw later in the afternoon it was a nervous wait for the girls to see when and who they would be boxing and Claire Kiely was first taking on Katelyn Phelan of the St. Bridgit’s club Kildare in one 50kg final and right from the off it was a cracker. Both girls are in their first year boxing but they looked like they had been boxing for years as both were landing very good shots to both head and body and sharp jabs. After round one it was still in the balance for either girl but in round two the Kildare girl went ahead as Claire was just short with some of her punches and getting caught on the counter and it was much of the same in the last and Claire had to settle for a silver medal. What a display of boxing from her and no doubt the gold will be around her neck next year. In 75kgs in the girl three category saw Nell Fox claim gold and also in the 63kg category in the 16 year old class Emer Feane claimed gold also and so it was Georgina O’Sullivan was last in looking for gold in the girl two 52kg class up against Erin Heneghan of Ballinrobe who had a lot more experience than Georgina who only has been boxing with us a very short time. She has great determination to give her all and that she did, as right from the off gave her opponent plenty to be worried about landing some nice combinations and scoring well. In round two the more experienced boxer started to pull out a lead and it was the same in the last and at the final bell it was a silver for Georgina, but well done on a great performance. Another reminder to all, on our annual tournament which will be held at the Rathkeale House Hotel on Sunday evening May 13th where all our County, Munster and All Ireland champions will showcase their skills, this is one not to be missed. Finally the club would like to send their sincere condolences to John Griffin on the sudden death of his wife Eileen last weekend,  May She Rest in Peace.