Molloy and Joyce win national titles for Moate Boxing Club

MOATE Boxing Club is the toast of the Midlands once again after two of its finest young boxers claimed All-Ireland glory last Friday night. Joe Joyce and Gary Molloy both travelled to Dublin"s National Stadium for the National Under-21 Boxing Championships finals and returned to Moate with a pair of coveted gold medals. Gary Molloy, 17, from Mount Carmel Drive, Moate, saw off the challenge of Declan Geraghty, of Dublin"s Docklands Boxing Club, on a 8-6 scoreline in the 51kg final, while 18 year-old Joe Joyce, of Farnagh, Moate, had a convincing 10-4 victory over Aidan O"Neill, of the Paulstown Boxing Club, in the 91+kg decider. Both Joyce and Molloy now boast an impressive three All-Ireland titles at a very young age and the future looks extremely bright for both boxers. Speaking to the 'Westmeath Independent' after last Friday"s success, Moate Boxing Club chairperson and trainer, Seamus Dorrington, said the club is very proud of both boxers. He said: 'Both lads have been boxing since they were eleven years old and have six All-Ireland titles between them. I think that"s a very fine achievement for the lads and for Moate Boxing Club.' Both Joyce and Molloy will now be entered into the IABA All-Ireland Intermediate Championships which take place at the National Stadium towards the end of the month. Of last week"s contests, Seamus Dorrington commented: 'It was Gary Molloy"s second time to come up against Declan Geraghty. Unfortunately, Gary lost the previous meeting on a tight countback, so it was always going to be another close contest. I thought it was a very enjoyable bout, a close match, but Gary boxed very clever and I thought he deserved the win in the end.' He added: 'It"s fantastic to see Joe Joyce back in the ring at national level. Previously, he had been in the form of his life until a serious back injury brought a halt to his fine progress. A year out of competition was the result but his victory over O"Neill proves he"s on his way back to his very best. It was a fairly comfortable and very deserved win for Joe.' Moate Boxing Club also wanted to extend its thanks to Moate Community School for supporting Gary Molloy"s cause throughout recent weeks. Molloy is also expected to be in serious contention at the National Under-18 Championships early next year. 'That"s actually Gary"s number one focus at the moment,' Seamus admitted. 'His success at under-20 level is a fantastic bonus and I seen no reason why Gary can"t continue his fine form over the coming months and years,' he added.