Agonising Irish final defeats for Clarke, McCole in Dublin

There were narrow defeats for Donegal boxers in today’s National Under-22 finals at the National Stadium.

Dungloe light-welterweight Mark McCole was beaten in his final while Carndonagh’s Labhaoise Clarke missed out on a tenth Irish title.

Kenneth Doyle of Monkstown in Dublin overcame McCole on a split decision, 3-2, in their decider.

Doyle held sway in the eyes of the judges and it was a bitter pill for the Dungloe corner, as they suffered a similar agonising loss to the same opponent late last year.

Today, McCole’s corner felt he had done enough, but it was Doyle who had his hand raised.

There was also disappointment for Clarke (above with her sister, Jessica), as the Carndonagh ace, already with nine titles under her belt, was beaten by Shauna Blaney from Navan in the women’s 57kgs final.

The IABA ran the U/22 Championships to help with their selection process for March’s European Men’s Championships in Romania.