Toohey’s All-Ireland bout

ESKER Boxing Club’s young rising star Rebecca Toohey has booked her spot in the final of the girls’ national championship 52kg category at the National Stadium on Saturday, May 21.
The 13-year-old puncher, who first laced up the gloves a mere 21 months ago, put in a top class performance to beat Emerald Boxing Club’s Zoe Malone by unanimous decision in her national semi-final bout at the National Stadium last weekend.
The Esker youngster will now trade leather with Doireann Coogan of Sacred Heart Boxing Club for the right to be crowned champion of Ireland.
The journey to the finals has been made all the more remarkable after Toohey broke her hand two months back in training. After a period of rest and recuperation and a boxing comeback with a couple of exhibition bouts after removing the cast, she went straight into the national semi-finals where she comfortably beat Emerald BC’s Malone last week.
After that performance, Toohey is now being hotly tipped by Esker Boxing Club coach Ed Griffin to claim the title this weekend.
Speaking to the Lucan Gazette, Griffin was full of praise for the young star boxer who he is tipping for the top.
“Rebecca is a really brilliant boxer and is probably the best we have at the club. Her first ever fight was in the All-Irelands last year and, since then, she has gone from strength to strength. Last year she won best overall boxer at Esker Boxing Club and it was well deserved.”
The club in Esker is fast becoming a hub for talented young girl boxers and Griffin was also quick to point out the other talent that exists.
“We had another young girl fighting at the National Stadium last week who was on the end of a very bad decision.
“Shannon Kelly was absolutely brilliant in her quarter final fight with Sophie Clancy of St Joseph’s, Edenderry. We felt that she won it but the judges gave it the other way.
“We also have a very talented Amy Harrington who normally boxes at 52kg but is injured at the moment. All inall the future is looking bright with lots of talented young boxers at the club.”
Saturday’s national girls’ championship finals take place at the National Boxing Stadium, South Circular Road. First bout is at 11am and Esker Boxing Club’s Toohey is expected in the ring around 4pm.