Double joy for All Saints at Ulster ‘intermediates’

Enda Kennedy receives the Boxer of the Tournament belt from Eugene Duffy, secretary of the Ulster Boxing Council, after last week's Ulster intermediate championship success. Also included are All Saints coaches TJ and Dermot Hamill.

Fifteen years ago TJ and Dermot Hamill won the lightweight and featherweight titles respectively. Now Enda Kennedy and Vinny Esler have replicated this success for the club by winning these same titles.

Enda Kennedy followed up on his success on Wednesday night’s semi-final defeat of Brendan Magee when in the final he faced Chris McPeake of St Johns.

McPeake adopted an aggressive approach and was keen to brawl. Kennedy followed instructions from his corner and didn’t get involved. He picked his shots and scored well keeping McPeake at a distance.

In the second round he maintained his composure leading with expert inside body and head shots which forced referee Duffy to give McPeake a standing count.

In the third round Kennedy controlled the ring and gave an exhibition of box-fighting. This resulted in a unanimous decision for the All Saints man.

Next in the ring for All Saints at welterweight was Vinny Esler who was up against the much fancied former Irish Junior Champion Darren Pollock of St Agnes.

Pollock wanted to overwhelm Esler with his aggression and heavier punch. Esler had other plans and gave a master class in counter punching. It was the boxer against the fighter and Esler the boxer won on a unanimous decision.

Both All Saints men stole the show in Belfast and were nominated for boxer of the tournament. Kennedy got the nod from the Ulster Branch and picked up the belt for best boxer.

Both men along with club teammate Joel Scullion travel to Dublin next week for the Irish Intermediate Championships.

On the other side of the ropes All Saints Club is proud that Dermot Hamill has been picked as coach to take a County Antrim squad to compete in Valencia Spain in mid-November.

This will be Dermot’s first international call up as a coach. This is not only an honour for Dermot but also recognition of his hard work within the club.