The Erne Boxing Club made a very positive start to the new year with Oisin Gilheaney claiming their first title and Rhys Owen putting in two very good performances in the National Under-22s Championships in Dublin.

Oisin Gilheaney was the first boxer in action for the Erne outfit competing at the Tyrone & Fermanagh championships in Newtownstewart.

Despite being only his fourth contest, and having not boxed in nearly two years, Gilheaney put in a very polished display against Aaron Gormley (Carrickmore BC).

Gilheaney overcame his opponent’s notable height and reach advantages by slipping in and out of range and landing with good flurries of punches to earn a unanimous points decision and win the Junior (U-16s) 52kg title.

The good start to the year was followed up by Rhys Owens getting off to a winning start in the National U-22s championships in Dublin against Leinster Senior champion Andrew Sinnott (Rathnew BC) in the 60kgs quarter-finals.

Owens – debuting in the National Stadium – was unfazed; he started the contest purposefully and landed with the better shots to edge the opener. Sinnott upped his game to outwork Owens and take the second.

But Owens responded in the final round with an accomplished display of hit and move boxing to win a close point decision by split decision.

In the semi-finals, Owens was pitted against former multiple Irish champion Paul Loonam (St. Carthages BC). Owen started brightly and using good movement and counter-punching tactics took the opener.

Loonam, much to his credit, found another gear in round two and was clinical with his punches to outscore Owens and win the second session.

The final round was a game of two halves, Loonam started really well and scored with good clean shots early on, and then Owens applied constant pressure to outwork and bully Loonam in the final third of the round.

However, the cleaner work early on from Loonam caught the eyes of the judge and he deservedly collected a unanimous victory, but was pushed all the way for his hard-fought win.

“It’s been a very pleasing and promising start to the year. Oisin Gilheaney has made great strides under the tutelage of Greg Copeland and hopefully the Tyrone & Fermanagh title will just be a springboard to further success for this young prospect,” commented Erne Boxing Club’s Head Coach, Sean Crowley.

He added: “Rhys Owens came within a whisker of making his first National Final. Despite boxing in the National Stadium for the first time, he really upped his game and looked well at home there.

“A close defeat to no doubt the eventual champion and a former multiple Irish titleist is testament to how well he’s progressing, and no doubt there are bigger days ahead of him.”