Stephen McMonagle is gunning to make up for one that got away after getting back to the Ulster Hall.
By Chris McNulty, Ringside at the Dockers Club
McMonagle overcame Denis Borskins from Sacred Heart in Newry in tonight’s Ulster Elite super-heavyweight semi-final.
It gives McMonagle – a Letterkenny native fighting out of the Holy Trinity club in Belfast – another crack at Joe Joyce, who beat him in the last instalment of these Championships.
“It’ll be a great experience to get back to the Ulster Hall,” McMonagle told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“I thought I beat Joe in the last final. Hopefully I can rectify that this year.”
McMonagle was in action tonight for the first time since losing to New Zealander Patrick Mailata at the Commonwealth Games last April.
There were elements of rust on the night, but McMonagle could be content with a 4-1 split decision win.
He said: “It was tough. I haven’t been sparring much because there’s nobody for me to spar.
“That was my first time in the ring since the Commonwealths and I could feel that.
“There’s nothing like a real fight to test you. My main focus was just getting the win. I need as many fights as possible.”
McMonagle made it a hat-trick of wins for the Donegal punchers tonight.
Brett McGinty defeated Eraid Muihai in a middleweight semi.
Illies Golden Gloves’ Donna Barr reached the light-flyweight final thanks to a win over Emma Feeney.
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