The Erne Boxing Club had two competitors competing in National Championship semi-final action at the National Stadium in Dublin last weekend with Rhys Owens producing a superb display of boxing to reach the National U22 final in super style.
Caoilfhionn Crowley took on Siofra Kenny from the Curadh Boxing Club in Wexford while Owens was out against Jason Nevin who had beaten Owens a month earlier by split decision in the semi-final of the National Elite Competition.
Crowley was first in action, boxing in her first season back after a couple of years out against last year’s National finalist, Kenny in the U18 63kg weight.
She put on a very, very solid display of skilful boxing mixing aggressive tactics with boxing on the move and hit and move. She showed her full repertoire of skills but tired having just returned from a family holiday in New Orleans the previous week.
But nonetheless, Crowley put up a good display and battled hard against her opponent for all three rounds, but was just one or two punches down and ended up losing to a unanimous points decision.
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Later on in the afternoon, Owens was back in action against Jason Nevin in the semi-final of the U22 60kg lightweight class.
Having tasted semi-final defeat to Nevin the previous month in the National League Championships, Owens was extra motivated to not only make his first National Final, but also event a contentious defeat in the process.
The first round of this contest was similar to their previous encounter, with Nevin making a good fast start. However, Owens stayed with him and upped the pace in the latter half the round and scored with some solid shots and arguably did enough to take the first session.
Took over
In round two and three, Owens completely took over the contest, mixing good shots to the head and body. And whilst Nevin was a strongly skilled competitor, and competitive in those rounds, the greater quality of punches, the greater volume of punches and quality of work came from Owens.
He landed some clean shots on the inside, a good repertoire of punches that really, really impressed those that were in attendance at the stadium. Several times in the contest in the latter two rounds, Nevin was forced to hold on, lean in, and he was cautioned on multiple occasions by the referee point.
It was a great contest between two highly skilled boxers and very competitive. But the general consensus was that Owens had won all three rounds, if not he won the last two.
So it was agonising to hear that again the judges had returned another 3-2 split decision verdict. But on this occasion, the result deservedly went in favour of Owens who now progresses to the National U22 final in the stadium next weekend.
Erne Boxing Club head coach Sean Crowley, who was leading the corner for both combatants commented: “Caoilfhionn did myself and the club proud. It was just unfortunate that her performance this weekend was impeded by being away.
“She missed her last weeks of training and had to make weight when she got back and this probably impeded her performance, but nonetheless the skill set and the heart and determination that she demonstrated suggests that there’s an Irish title is waiting for her around the corner. Hopefully when she competes back at that junior youth level next month.
“Rhys Owens again continues to impress everyone. He was exceptional this weekend. His punch picking was perfect. His engine was jaw dropping. The way he set the pace, the tempo of the contest from start to finish. He deserves much kudos and much praise and hopefully now come next weekend, he’ll get that one more win and get the national title he deserves and hopefully the opportunity to represent Ireland at the European U22 championships later in the year.
“He’s worked extremely hard. He’s a role model for everyone in the club. He’s made so many sacrifices in terms of his social life, watching his diet and just being the ultimate professional amateur athlete.
“And if anyone deserves a title, and national title, it’s certainly him.
“The whole club, we’re really proud of his performances, and we’re confident that he will do the business next weekend.”
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