THERE were good and bad performances at the National Stadium in Dublin last night as Ireland lost out 5-4 to France.
Promising Dublin bantamweight Bernard Dunne enhanced his growing reputation with a fine 18-6 win over Mehdi Siouane despite receiving two warnings for holding.
National champion Dunne took the fight to his French rival throughout and deserved his emphatic victory.
But Belfast’s James Rooney lost out in the light-flyweight division while county Derry teenager Paul McCloskey was victorious.
And Belfast light heavy Steven Kirk scored a cracking win over World-ranked John Paul Mendy.
Rooney, who was controversially left out of the Commonwealth Games squad for Kuala Lumpur in September, began the fight against France’s Jerome Thomas, the quicker of the two boxers.
However a number of counter attacks from Thomas put the 1997 European silver medallist in command.
A number of quick hand and body combinations gave Rooney hope in the final round, but it was not to be.
Paul McCloskey from St Canice’s was the first Ulster victor of the night when he overcame Malik Cherchari 9-6.
McCloskey received a standing count at the start of the fourth round but despite this went on to victory.
Other results: Light heavy: Steven Kirk bt Jean-Paul Mendy 14-7 Light middle: Bernard McDonagh lost to Joel Bamarre 4-20 Welter: Robert Murray lost to Xavier Noel 1-12 Light heavy: Sean O’Grady lost John Dovi 3-8
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EMYVALE staged a strong final quarter to snatch a draw in this rough and tumble Monaghan SFC quarter-final game in Scotstown.
The game marked the return of former inter-county star Eamon Murphy and he celebrated with a goal for Emyvale 18 minutes into the first half and went on to play a vital part as their main attacking threat, finishing with 1-2 to his credit.
Monaghan Harps led at half-time by 0-6 to 1-1 and probably should have been further ahead after strong performances by Keith McGonnell and John and Michael McCoy.
In the second half Monaghan Harps continued to be the more dominant but lacked the cohesion that they had demonstrated in the first half. Three points by Micheal McCoy left them nine points to 1-2 ahead at the end of the third quarter and that in fact was to finish their scoring with Emyvale staging their late revival.
The introduction of Darren Farmer gave a renewed impetus to the Emyvale attack and his three points from frees earned Emyvale a second chance.
Emyvale: G Murphy, M McElroy, B Finn, P Kelly, A Duffy, P Kelly, S Kelly, P Hesnan, C Murphy, J Finn, K Farmer, F Colton (0-1), A McMeel, E Murphy (1-2) S Colton.
Subs: D Farmer (0-3) for J Finn, A McGeogh for A McMeel, M McAree for S Colton. Monahgan Harps: C Dorris, S Brannigan , P Coyle, D McKenna, M Duufy, K McGonnell, S McEntee, D Sheridan, J McCoy, M McCoy (0-6), J Coyle, J Hagan (0-1) D McGarry (0-2) E McCoy, D Lavery.
Subs: G Treanor for E McCoy.
Referee: B Finnegan (Donaghmoyne).
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ROY Keane will make his long-awaited return for Manchester United later this month in a pre-season friendly against Birmingham.
Keane is back in full training after recovering from his cruciate ligament injury and United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed he will play in the match at St Andrews on July 25.
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JIMMY Heggarty and Damian McGrane shared the winner’s cheque of £1,150 in yesterday’s pro-am tournament at Balinroe with Portrush man Heggarty highlighting his card with a rare eagle two.
Leading scores: 68: J Heggarty (Spawell), D McGrane (Wexford); 69: W O’Callaghan (Carrigaline); 71: G Loughrey (Knockbracken), L Walker (Foxrock), G Burke (Curragh), P Russell (Royal Belfast), S Hamill (Allen Pk); 72: D Walker (Foxrock); 73: B McGovern (Headfort), R Giles (Warrenpoint), G Morrison (Nenagh), R Johnstone (Ballyearl); 74: L Owens (Royal Dublin). Team: 91Pts: L Walker (Foxrock) with Michelle Pippet 13, Claire Pippet 15 & Claire O’Carroll (all Balinroe).
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JAMES Clarke from Holywood was crowned Ulster Boys’ Champion at Ballycastle yesterday after a rain-delayed First Trust final. Clarke, a two-handicapper, dashed the chances of his schoolmate JC Rice by 5 & 3 after their afternoon tussle was held up for over an hour with heavy rain.
The elements came down after the players drove off at the 4th hole and secretary Brendan Edwards had no option but to call a halt to proceedings.
Semi-finals: JC Rice (Shandon Pk) bt G McCready (Massereene) 2 holes; J Clarke (Holywood) bt M O’Sullivan (Galway) 2 holes.
Final: Clarke bt Rice 5 & 3.
