BOXING: Walcot boxer Jordan win Golden Girls title (From Swindon Advertiser)

BOXING: Walcot boxer Jordan win Golden Girls title

6:00am Saturday 19th January 2013 in Sport

WALCOT’S Jordan O’Donoghue returned victorious from her trip to Sweden after beating Irish star Philamena Hickey.

The 14-year-old was competing in the ‘Golden Girls’ tournament in Boras, and met County Cork fighter Hickey in the final of the 48kgs section From the opening bell the Dorcan pupil used her reach advantage to good effect, scoring with fast left jabs and straight rights.

Hickey had no answer to the Swindonian’s attacking prowess, and after a sustained burst of pressure the referee issued the Irish girl with a standing count late in the round.

The first minute of the second round saw Jordan continually on the attack and scoring well with left jabs, straight rights and the occasional uppercut.

With little over a minute gone in round two the referee stepped in and stopped the contest in O’Donoghue’s favour, much to her delight.

“That was brilliant, I really enjoyed the experience of boxing abroad,” she said.

“I must thank my coaches who brought me here - my dad Jason and Lionel McCrea.

“I would also like to thank Harry Scott and all the coaches back at the Walcot gym, especially Mike Bolton who helped with the fund-raising which paid for my trip.”

McCrea was very happy with Jordan’s performance: “She showed no nerves at all and really got on with the job,” he said. Although her opponent was tough on paper it was quite a one-sided contest.

“She boxed well to instruction and I couldn’t be more pleased with her performance’.

Proud dad Jason O’Donoghue added: “Jordan’s victory made the long journey worthwhile. Now she will have a short break from training and then prepare for her next contest.

“Thanks to all who made this trip possible.”

Meanwhile, the club have entered seven of their young stars in this season’s National Schoolboy Championships which begin tomorrow at Filton College in Bristol.

The septet will compete against boxers from Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire in this opening round, with the winners facing the best from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset a fortnight later.

Leading the way for the Swindon gym is last season’s national champion Said Eltuyev, who hopes to take the Class 3 (46kgs) title this time around.

The stylish 14-year-old followed up his title last season with gold for England at the Three Nations tournament in Wales.

Also in the Class 3 section are 14-year-olds Kieran O’Donoghue (48kgs), Jimmy McDonagh (44kgs), and Charlie Trinder (57kgs).

Kieran and Jimmy have both made the semi-finals for the past two years and hope to go all the way this season, whilst Charlie competes at competition level for the first time.

Entering the championship in the Class 1 group are 12-year-olds Milo Bolton (36kgs), Johnny McDonagh (32kgs) and Ross Kennedy (52kgs).

This trio are new to the competition, but have all shown ability when competing on club events.