Sligo boxer Dean Clancy booked his place in the light welterweight final of the National Elite Boxing Championships this weekend following Friday night’s semi-final win at the National Stadium in Dublin.
Clancy, who trains out of the Sean McDermott gym in Manorhamilton, produced an accomplished peformance to beat John Paul Hale of Belfast on a 4-1 decision.
He will fight Brandon McCarthy of St Michael’s boxing club (Athy) in the final.
However, McCarthy faces a medical test after a clash of heads brought his semi-final against Aaron O’Donohue to a premature end.
Sligo’s Dean Clancy through to light welterweight final at IABA Elite ch’ships. Terrific contest against John Paul Hale. Due to meet Brandon McCarthy but he faces a medical test after a clash of heads brought his semi-final to a premature end #boxing
— Sean McGoldrick (@SeanMcGoldrick1) January 20, 2023
Clancy’s elder brother Jason is also in action on Saturday as he contests the light-heavyweight final (80kg) final against Keelyn Cassidy from the Saviours Crystal boxing club in Waterford.
It’s the first time that two Sligo boxing siblings have contested national finals on the same card since the Reynolds brothers Stephen and Alan did likewise 20 years ago.
There is also an Olympic incentive for the Clancy brothers this weekend as the winner of each of the various Olympic weight category finals will earn a place in Ireland’s squad for the European Games in Poland this summer, which will be the first opportunity to qualify for next year’s Paris Games.
Saturday’s finals will be shown live on the TG4 YouTube channel from 5pm.
There are 25 finals in total on the card.
The Clancy bouts are scheduled for after 9pm on Saturday night.
