Carlisle boxers impress with medals at top Dublin show
Carlisle Villa Boxing Club rounded off the season in style by winning a host of medals in Dublin.
Boxers from the Cumbrian amateur boxing club competed in the Monkstown Box Cup – one of Europe's top box cups for schools, junior and youth boxers.
Villa boxers Michael Ward, Olivier Jemilijanovas and Thomas Moore all brought home gold medals, while Harley McNeil won silver.
Harley, 12, was hoping to make it triple gold after recent wins at Teesside and Bristol box cups in recent weeks.
After an impressive semi-final win over James McDonagh (Mulhuddart BA, Dublin) the Villa youngster was confident going into the final where he met Irish champion Connor Ryan (St Michael's BC, Kildare).
After an even first round Harley stepped it up in the second, landing two and three-punch combinations with very little coming back from Ryan.
There was more pressure boxing from Harley in the third and final round, where he had Ryan on the back foot, and the young Irishman was glad to hear the bell sound to end the contest with him backed against the ropes.
Harley McNeil, left, pictured after his semi-final victory (Image: Carlisle Villa)
It was a shock, though, as the MC announced that Ryan in the red corner had won the bout by way of a split decision. The arena fell quiet as the audience were stunned at the decision.
The team had to forget about that decision as Michael Ward was competing in the next contest.
He was drawn against Michael Nevin (Elite Mullingar), and the Villa boxer controlled the bout from the first bell until the last with some quality boxing, working well behind his jab and landing solid shots to the body.
There were no surprises this time with Michael being awarded the win by unanimous decision.
Olivier Jemilijanovas, 14, was up next for the Villa. He boxed well in his quarter-final bout against Patrick Maughan (Olympic Mullingar), winning by a unanimous decision.
After his opponent pulled out of the semi-final contest, Ollie was fresh going into the final against Vinny Poppy (Longs ABC, London).
Ollie started slowly in the first and probably lost that round but picked it up in the second where he worked well behind his jab.
Another good last round saw him through to win the bout by unanimous decision.
Youth boxer Thomas Moore was last to go, a strong performance in his semi-final contest against Cruz Blair (Evoloution BC, Antrim) earning his place in the final where he was up against the experienced Conan Kearney (St Bridget's BC, Donegal).
Thomas started really well, using his reach to control the first round with his jab.
In the second round Thomas added two and three-punch combinations to take complete control of the contest.
In the third round Kearney knew he needed to do something different and came forward trying to outmuscle Thomas, but the Villa boxer's movement was too good and he cruised to the bell to take the gold medal.
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