McDonagh targets national final glory (From Swindon Advertiser)

McDonagh targets national final glory

6:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport

WALCOT boxer Jimmy McDonagh faces his most important contest yet in Liverpool tomorrow when he competes in the national final of the schoolboys’ championships, writes DAVE VEYSEY.

The 14-year-old faces Edward Stokes from Northampton’s Far Cotton gym in a class three (44kg) contest.

To reach this stage McDonagh has had to win five times over the past six weeks.

First he beat John Coffey (Broad Plain Boys Club ABC) in the regional round, and then London champion Johnny Ellis (West Ham Boys) at the next stage.

In the quarter-finals he mastered Southern Counties champion Jimmy Wall (Tadley ABC), and then saw off Home Counties number one Noah Stanley (Hoddesdon Boxing Academy).

Now he has one more hurdle to clear before he becomes national schoolboy champion.

McDonagh said: “I am really looking forward to the final. Stokes is the northern champion and has a similar record to mine so it should be a good contest. I would like to thank all the Walcot coaches for their hard work with me in the gym throughout the season, and my dad Paddy for driving me to events all around the country.”

Walcot chief coach Harry Scott said: “A Walcot boxer is in the schools’ final once again is a great achievement for the coaches at the club.

“Jimmy is a hard-working and talented boxer and I hope he performs to his full potential on the day and brings home the title for Walcot.”

The action starts at 1pm on Saturday at the Everton Sports Centre in Liverpool.