St Bronagh’s ABC
THERE was yet more success for St Bronagh’s boxer Connie Gibbons at the recent All-Ireland University Championships in Dublin. Connie is having her most successful year to date since taking up boxing at nine years of age.
After picking up a silver medal representing Ulster in Poland just before Christmas, before winning the English University Championships in Portsmouth a few weeks ago, Connie went into the University Championships in great form, confident in her abilities to win another title.
Connie faced Hannah Zaidan, a tough boxer from Angels Boxing Club in Dublin. Hannah was a runner-up in these championships last year and runner-up in last year’s All- Ireland Senior Championships, losing out to European bronze medallist Katie O’Keefe. From the first bell, Connie was in control, forcing her opponent back with strong jabs and a straight right cross.
She took control of the ring, putting a lot of pressure on the Angels boxer and this continued into the second round.
After a barrage of punches from Connie with very little coming back from Zaidan, the referee called a halt to the contest and declared Connie the new All-Ireland IATBA Intervarsity champion.
Coaches Gavin Dougan, Tony Broadhurst and Sean Gorman were full of praise for their boxer and said, hopefully, there will be more to come.
The U-23 All-Ireland Championships in the summer and Ulster University normally takes a team to the Haringey Cup in London, so Connie could have a very busy year ahead. Well done Connie, Rostrevor is very proud of your achievements.
