A coach of a County Armagh boxing club has spoken of his pride after three up-and-coming members became all-Ireland champions in recent weeks.
“The work that the whole club’s put in is phenomenal,” said Richard Clarke, of Armagh Amateur Boxing Club.
“Everything’s appreciated and we’re not really going that long. This is our best year so far!”
Boxers of all ages and abilities train vigorously at the club, which was established in 2015, leading to an increase in member numbers as well as title after title being won by their boxers, showcasing the talent and calibre of fighters from the club and the wider Armagh area.
Now, in the latest of many amazing victories for club members, three young boxers have returned to Armagh with their heads held high after all-Ireland wins at the National Stadium in Dublin.
The club had entered five boxers into the 2024 National Boy/Girl 1, 2 and 3 Championships, who all qualified through the Ulster Championships, with three taking home titles.
All competitors fight based on their age and weight category.
Explained Richard: “Our competition starts with the Mid-Ulster Championships, which qualify you for the Ulster Championships, which qualifies you to represent Ulster at the national level in the All-Irelands.”
The three All-Ireland winners for the club were: Liam Moore (12, competing at 46kg), Phoebe Clarke (12, competing at 49kg) and Maisie Traynor (13, competing at 37kg).
Also competing were: Eddie McDonagh (14, competing at 59kg) and Barney McQuaid (14, competing at 38.5kg).
Liam’s first competition was the ArmaghDown Board Championship in January, where he got into the third round of the final before sustaining a wrist fracture.
Thankfully, Liam was able to bounce back after a rough start to the year, winning his Mid-Ulster, Ulster and All-Ireland Titles, winning unanimously in his All-Ireland final.
Phoebe Clarke, who also won a title, can proudly say she is yet to lose a competition she has entered.
She started out last year at the Monkstown Cup, which she won, before going on to win the Barum Box Cup in England, the Belfast Hallowe’en Box Cup, the Nine-Counties, the Mid-Ulster, the Ulster and then the All-Ireland.
Said Richard: “She’s been in our boxing club since she was seven. She’s now going on to defend her Monkstown Championship and then she also gets a chance at the cadets, which is the qualifiers for the Junior Irish team.”
Maisie Traynor won this year by way of walkover after making it to the final last year.
“It’s a just reward that she’s followed through this year and she’s continued her training and didn’t drop her head,” said Richard. “She was a deserved winner last year but didn’t get that. Karma comes around and now she has that title to her name!”
The wins are a testament to a strong boxing club that pushes its fighters to be the best.
Continued Richard: “Going into the Mid-Ulster Championships, we entered 10 boxers and came away with five champions. Five went into the Ulster Championship and all five came away with titles.
“We have a big number coming up from our junior class to the senior class next year so hopefully the numbers keep going up. It’s a phenomenal achievement for the club and the area.”
The Armagh Amateur Boxing Club end-of-year club show will be held in the Armagh Harps Club at Abbey Park on May 12.
Watch: Armagh ABC a community boxing club packing a punch
