Illies boxers book final spots

Illies Golden Gloves boxers William McLaughlin and Tyrone McCullagh will bid to complete a memorable double for Inishowen boxing when they compete in the televised finals of the Irish Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Dublin this Friday. Featherweight McCullagh got one over on his nemesis Ryan Lindberg, who he had lost to in the last three successive Ulster Finals to reach his first National Senior Final. The 19 year old defeated Lindberg when it mattered most on a 7-6 countback. Lindberg was 2-1 ahead at the end of the first and 5-4 ahead at the end of the second, but Tyrone twice restored parity with body shots in the final frame. Reigning welterweight champion McLaughlin continued his impeccable defense of his title with a 5-0 victory over Bray southpaw Adam Nolan in the semi-finals on Friday night to set up a mouthwatering final with Irish Olympian John Joe Joyce. Joyce defeated his St Michael’s Athy clubmate Roy Sheahan in the other semi-final. The 22 year old, who is 7th in the AIBA’s World Rankings, will provide McLaughlin with his biggest test since his quarter finals defeat at the World Championships in Milan in September.