Neil Gough's ambition to win a ninth national senior boxing title crumbled before the youthful exuberance of James Moore, the Arklow welterweight during last night's final in front of a packed attendance at the National Stadium.
Gough was an 18-7 loser to the confident Moore, who was revenging last year's defeat. Gough, ironically, produced his best boxing in the fourth round but to no avail. Moore by this stage was happy on the retreat and often tied up the Waterford veteran.
Earlier Harry Cunningham, the Belfast bantamweight who had won at light fly last year, was ousted by the holder Damian McKenna of Drogheda on an 8-3 score.
Earlier still, Cunningham's brother Liam retained his flyweight title scoring a 15-7 win over Dubliner Darren Campbell. Campbell took a standing count of eight in the third round, by which stage Cunningham was well on his way to success.
Noel Monteith, the Docker's Belfast lightweight, prevailed 19-7 over Louth's Eugene McEneaney. It was an excellent victory for the UUJ student and his prospects were enhanced ahead of the World Championships in his home city in June. Ireland's only competitor at the Sydney Olympics, Michael Roche of Cork, returned to winning form when retaining the light-middle title with a 10-7 victory over Derry's John Duddy.
Thirty seconds' silence was observed as a mark of respect to two cousins of Paul McCloskey who were tragically killed in a car accident en route to the stadium to support the Derry boxer.
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