Holohan makes it a memorable Ireland international debut

PORTLAOISE Boxing Club’s Lorcan Holohan ensured his first time representing Ireland was an occasion to remember after he struck gold at the World of Havoc Tournament in Orlando, Florida earlier this month.

Lining out in the 63kg division, the 16-year-old competitor recorded hard-fought victories over Xavier Cruz-Villa of California and Florida’s Christopher Thigpen to secure gold for himself and his country.

It was a hugely successful tournament for the Ireland squad, which accounted for no less than 25 medals at this competition, including 21 gold and three silver.

Delighted with the performance of his young protégé, Portlaoise Boxing Club head coach, Pat Ryan said: “His final was against a tough boy. Lorcan did enough to win the first round, definitely lost the second round, but came back to win the third.

“That lad (Thigpen) was as tough as nails. He came on very strong in that second round, because he knew he had lost the first and he had to make up ground.

“He most certainly won the second round, but Lorcan went back to boxing and didn't get involved as much in the third. Sometimes when you get drawn into a bit of a brawl, you kind of lose your way and forget about your boxing.

“But he reset and restarted in the third round and went back to boxing the way he should, and he was superb.

“The amount of training that he’s put in, Monday to Thursday, twice a day with me, and then Saturday with the High Performance team, it really has stood him.

“Sparring with Johnny Harty, Louis Griffin, Neddy Harty and Kevin Pukuta, his quality of opponent and training is superb and that all contributed to a fine performance out there,” Pat told the *****Laois Nationalist****.

Holohan earned the opportunity to box for his country after he stormed to the 63kg title at the National Senior Cadet Championships back in May.

Indeed, that was a superb campaign for the Portlaoise competitor who carded five unanimous decision wins en route to the prize after he 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.

And this latest success in Florida, in what was a Tier One event that was sanctioned by USA Boxing, will only serve to build his confidence as he gears up to go again in another National Senior Cadet Championship in September from which he hopes to make the cut for the Europeans later in the year.

“We’ll certainly be pushing Lorcan for that and hopefully he’ll get the chance to represent Ireland again,” said Ryan.

“He’s already won that title earlier in the year and his confidence is growing all the time, and all the training that he's been doing, you can see everything is standing out” he remarked.

Also set to represent Portlaoise in the upcoming National Senior Cadet Championships will be Kevin Pukuta (75kg), Ryan Byrne (70kg), Fabian Berko (66kg) and Jack Cahill (54kg).

The latter picked up silver in the 52kg division at the previous Senior Cadet competition back in May, losing out to Lee Largey Snodden of Immaculata BC in final after having surmounted the challenge of Jake Page from Clonard in the quarter-finals and Holy Family’s Paddy Nevin in the semis.

Certainly, Portlaoise will be hoping to make their presence felt again on the National Senior Cadet stage, but the club will firstly be turning their attention to this month’s National Under 15 and Under 23 Championships in August.

Indeed, they expect to field some six boxers in the Under 15 competition, with Johnny Harty and Cody O’Reilly flying the flag for them in the Under 23 competition.