Sensational win for Walsh as three Offaly boxers take national titles

GRAINNE Walsh had one of the biggest wins of her boxing career when she captured a national title in sensational circumstances on Saturday last.

After a lengthy battle with injury, the Tullamore woman produced one of the performances of her career to stun World and European light welterweight champions, Amy Broadhurst at the National Elite Championships in Dublin.

She boxed her heart out to take a split decision over favourite Broadhurst in the womens' 66kg final

A member of Spartacus Boxing Club in Tullamore, Walsh quickly found the range as a titanic tussle emerged – one that was a tremendous credit to both fighters as they tore into each other.

Dundalk woman Broadhurst rattled Walsh on a couple of occasions as she found a way through her defence. Walsh, however, continued to hold her own and landed some hefty punches to keep marking up points.

It was nip and tuck the whole way through but Walsh gathered vital points in the closing round as she stunned Broadhurst with a big hook and followed up with a handful of blows.

It was clear to all observers that it was a very tight contest with almost nothing between them And so it proved, as an absolutely jubilant Walsh got a 3-2 decision. There was raw emotion as Walsh leapt into the air when the decision was announced while a tearful Broadhurst had to come to terms with the defeat.

Walsh's win commanded most attention but it was a big championship for other boxers. Pullough man Paul Loonam had a fantastic win in the very competitive mens 57kg class. Boxing for St Carthage's Boxing Club in Rahan, Loonam, a European U-22 medal winner, produced a superbly composed performance to beat Sean Purcell of Saviours Crystal in a fiercely fought final.

Another St Carthage's and Pullough boxer, Nicole Buckley completed a memorable weekend for Offaly boxers as she captured the 48kg womens class. She got the better of Smithfield's Ciara Walsh in a 2-1 split decision – 19 years of age her and Loonam won titles in their first appearance at these championships.

There was disappointment for Daingean boxer Brian Kennedy when he was beaten in the semi-final of the 80kg heavy weight division. Kennedy lost out to Keelyn Cassidy of Saviours Crystal Boxing Club, Waterford.