Holohan contesting World of Havoc Tournament in Orlando

PORTLAOISE Boxing Club’s Lorcan Holohan will represent Ireland for the first time when he lines out in this weekend’s World of Havoc Tournament in Orlando, Florida.

One of 25 competitors who make up the Team Ireland squad heading to the US, Holohan secured his place in the national panel following his tremendous 63kg title win at the National Senior Cadet Championships back in May.

Indeed, the young Portlaoise competitor served up a superb campaign that saw him beat Kai Dynes of Immaculata, Oakleaf’s Lucas McIvor, Darren Joyce of Sacred Heart and Patrick Myers of Spartacus BC before surmounting Phoenix Kenny of Baldoyle in the decider.

Portlaoise BC head coach, Pat Ryan has been seriously impressed with the huge strides Holohan has taken over the past year, and insists his young protégé has fully earned this opportunity to represent his country.

“Lorcan has been doing tremendously well” Ryan told the ****Laois Nationalist*****. “I think the last year has been absolutely brilliant for him, getting away to so many different countries, getting that experience, getting that knowledge, and the confidence from winning the National Senior Cadet Championships has been amazing.

“For him to win five straight contests by unanimous decision, it’s testament to where he's at.

“He’s now completed the cycle of training and all the requirements to be selected for the Ireland team to go to Orlando. He trains with me Monday to Thursday, twice a day, and does a session on Saturday with the High Performance team. This is what has to be done. This is the requirement to box at international level.

“He's training alongside Neddy Harty, European champion, Louis Griffin, National Youth champion. He’s training alongside Johnny Harty. He’s surrounded by quality and he gets all the different types of sparing - southpaw, orthodox, fighters, boxers.

“His preparation has been second to none. He’s highly excited, very energised and he just can't wait for it to come,” said Ryan.

Competing at the World of Havoc Tournament, which is a Tier One event, will be another great experience for Holohan and this young Ireland squad, that is made up of this year’s National Senior Cadet champions, covering 25 of the 34 weights contested at the championships back in May.

The national squad will be captained in the tournament by 65kg boxer, Jason Donoghue of Olympic BC, Mullingar and 70kg competitor, Cassie Henderson of Phoenix BC, Armagh.

It is the latest competition, in what has been a busy summer for Portlaoise Boxing Club, who are also sure to have a lot of interest in the upcoming National Under 15 and Under 23 Championships in August.

Indeed, the club is expecting to field about six boxers in the Under 15 competition, with two, namely Johnny Harty and Cody O’Reilly set to line out in the Under 23 Championships.

The excitement ahead of these competitions is building strongly in the club and Ryan anticipates a good showing from his group.

“There’s a couple of the young lads there chomping at the bit,” he said.

“Some of them are at the younger age of it and that could determine the outcome in many ways, but they're very talented young boys and anything can happen,” he stressed.