Sport

Bantry boxer Jack through to All-Ireland final

June 7th, 2019 1:00 PM

By Southern Star Team

Bantry ABC's Jack Desmond, centre, pictured with head coach Andy Kerins and coach Andrew Desmond (Jack's father).

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Bantry boxer Jack Desmond is one win away from an All-Ireland title.

BANTRY boxer Jack Desmond is one win away from an All-Ireland title.

The talented Bantry ABC teenager (16) will compete for the national Junior 2 52kg title this Saturday, June 8th.

He booked his place in this year’s All-Ireland final after a very accomplished display in last weekend’s semi-final at the National Stadium in Dublin when he defeated Smithfield ABCs Leandro De Silva. 

Jack showed great composure and patience to score well with both hands throughout the contest. He was given a well-deserved unanimous decision with all five judges giving him all three rounds against a slick moving counter puncher. 

This will be Jack’s fourth appearance in an All-Ireland final in just six years. 

To date, the Bantry boxer has won six county and Munster titles in a row as well as one Irish title, won in 2017.

Head coach Andy Kerins, who worked the corner along with Jack’s father Andrew, said, ‘Jack dominated again in Dublin. His experience really showed against a very tricky opponent and he knew exactly what to do to get the win. 

‘This is Jack’s fourth time getting to the final, a phenomenal achievement for any boxer, but when you consider that we have one of the smallest boxing clubs in the country it really puts Jack’s achievements into perspective. 

‘He performs consistently to a very high level against the best boxers in the country and has done so since he was 11 years old.’

It has been a very busy season with Bantry ABC boxers this year. Along with Jack there was further success with the Kotarja sisters, Aglentina and Brikena, both also winning county and Muster titles. Brikena lost out in the national semi-final after a terrific battle, having had a great win in the quarter-final. Sister Aglentina was desperately unlucky to lose out on another split decision in the Irish final against Jobstown ABC’s Stacey O’Connor. These two girls are getting to know each other well as they also met in last year’s final. 

Brother and sister, Soni and Rosie Gaffney also both won county and Munster titles this year giving the Bantry boxing club an unprecedented total of five provincial titles in one season. Jack Desmond is hoping to add an All-Ireland title to that trophy cabinet this Saturday.

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