Published: Thursday, 28th May, 2009 12:00pm

Molloy claims another national title

FURTHER glory was bestowed onto Moate Boxing Club last weekend when Gary Molloy captured the National Youth Boxing Championship in the National Stadium.

The 17-year-old, from Mount Carmel Drive, Moate, defeated Chris Phelan in the 51kg final last Friday, seeing off his Newbridge based opponent on a 8-4 scoreline.

Molloy has already beaten Jamie Long in the semi-finals the previous week and Friday"s success is his fourth All-Ireland title, including gold at last November"s National Under-21 Boxing Championships.

Seamus Dorrington of Moate Boxing Club said: 'It was a great win for Gary and he boxed very well on the night. It was a very assured performance and he deserved it.'

'It was level at the end of the first round but Gary took control after that and never looked back. I"m very pleased for Gary,' added Seamus.

Meanwhile, fellow Moate Boxing Club member Joe Ward was due to kick off his bid for success at the IABA World Junior Championships yesterday evening (Tuesday).

Ward has been named captain of the Irish squad which travelled to Armenia for the championships late last week.

Dorrington said: 'Joe has been really looking forward to these championships and its a big test for him. Joe has been in great form recently and hopefully things will go according to plan.'

The IABA"s remarkable sequence of having won medals at every international tournament they have entered - including the Olympic Games - since November 2007, will be put to the test in Armenia over the next week.

A six-strong Irish squad are among a record attendance of 51 nations and Irish coach Jim Moore reckons that it is going to be tough.

'We have put in a lot of preparation and we are quietly confident, but it will be tough,' said Moore.