Darryl Moran is aiming to follow in famous Illies Golden Gloves footsteps on Friday night when he lines up in the Irish Elite light-flyweight final.
Moran, already a nine-time Irish champion, goes in search of his first Elite crown when he faces Derryman Blaine Dobbins in the 49kgs decider at The National Stadium.
Moran comes from a decorated boxing family and is looking to add another big prize for the Illies club.
In 2009 and 2010, Willie McLaughlin and Tyrone McCullagh won Elite titles.
McLaughlin claimed the 2009 welterweight crown when he stopped Dungloe’s Cathal McAuley in the second round of their final, while McCullagh defeated James Fryers from Belfast in the 2010 featherweight final.
Now, it could be Moran’s time to shine in a division that is really there for the taking following the moves of Paddy Barnes and Regan Buckley to the pro ranks and the decision of Stephen McKenna to move up a weight.
Moran won the Irish Under-22 title last month when he impressively defeated Urlingford’s Jordan Leahy and he’s on the scent of more glory this week against a familiar opponent.
Moran got a bye to the final, but he told Irish-Boxing.com: “I dont mind that I got the bye, the Under-22 have me set up nicely. I feel great and sharp.”
“There will always be nerves going into any fight but all the hard training is done and hopefully I get the win and book my place as number one.”
Moran lost to Buckley in an Elite final in December 2015, but is now nine minutes away from a place upon a famous list of names.
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