Big time boxing returns to Geesala

Geesala Boxing Club welcomed a team from Italy to the ‘Land of the Salty Breeze’ on Sunday, June 14. Together with the Mayo Boxing Board, Geesala BC were hosts of a Bergamo Italy selection who fought a team of boxers representing Mayo and Galway.

The show began with a curtain-raiser of up and coming new talent from the club and featured newly crowned Irish champion Frankie Brogan. It also featured Frank Kirwan, who won the U19 super heavyweight title at the National Stadium and went on to claim a bronze medal for Ireland at the Four Nations tournament in Scotland.

Aaron Worth was a busy man on the day, not only performing as club coach, but also putting on a fine performance in the ring against the Italian team – as did John Howard, despite being out of training for a number of weeks.

The main event ended with a great display of skill from head coach Pat McDonagh’s grandson Daniel, and son Matthew, bringing down the curtain on a very entertaining show. Daniel won the ‘fight of the night’ accolade after a thrilling contest.

Overall the Italians came away 5-3 winners on the night, with the two McDonagh lads supplying two of the three wins for the home team.

At the end of the night Pat McDonagh presented David Arsuffi from the visiting team with a commemorative plaque on behalf of Geesala Boxing Club and the Mayo Boxing Board. Arsuffi expressed his gratitude to the hosts and to the Erris Coast Hotel on behalf of the Italian visitors and said he is looking forward to repeating the trip in the near future again.