Three Laois teenagers were crowned All-Ireland boxing champions at the national finals which took place over the weekend.
Portarlington’s Rosaletta Casey, Crettyard’s Darragh Brennan and Portlaoise’s Thomas O’Reilly returned from the National Stadium in Dublin as champions.
Brennan boxed in the National Boy 3 finals at 62kg on Saturday.
The 14-year-old Knockbeg College student got the better of the fancied Paddy Kane, of St Mary’s New Ross, by unanimous decision.
Darragh, who also plays football and hurling for Laois, is from the Sacred Heart boxing club in Tolerton.
The club was founded by Paddy Brennan in Moneenroe in 1981 and continued there until around 12 years ago when they moved to Tolerton hall.
Now, at 86 years old, Paddy is still going strong as head coach and doing fantastic work.
He coaches plenty of brilliant boxers along with his daughter Aisling Brennan, Shane Duignan, Mick McCarthy and Keith Brennan.
Portlaoise Boxing Club had two All-Ireland champions with Thomas O’Reilly winning in the National Boy 2 finals.
At the weight of 68kg, he defeated Mamade Konde of Middleton in Cork by split judges decision – 4-1.
And Portlaoise Boxing Club’s second champion is Rosaletta Casey in the National Girl 1 finals.
Coached by Pat Ryan, the Portarlington native was competing in the 39kg division and defeated Leah Cairns of Northside by unanimous decision.
Congratulations to all!
