Boxing glory for Offaly as trio take national titles

It was a glorious day for Offaly boxing yesterday as three fighters from the county were crowned National Elite Champions at the National Boxing Stadium.

Tullamore's Grainne Walsh, who fights out of Spartacus Boxing Club, made national headlines when she outfought reigning World, European and Commonwealth champion Amy Broadhurst on a 3-2 score in a titanic final at the 66kg division on Saturday night.

It was a morale-boosting win for Walsh, who has had to endure a series of injuries over the last 18 months.

She was not the only female champion though from Offaly as earlier Nicole Buckley from St Carthages beat Ciara Walsh (Smithfield), 4-1, in the 48kg final.

In the men's finals, there was glory too for Paul Loonam also of St Carthage's who beat Sean Purcell (Saviours Crystal), 5-0, in the 57kg decider.