Brett McGinty enters a whole new world tonight when he steps through the famous ropes of Dublin’s National Stadium.
The St Johnston man only turned 18 in September, but has already qualified for his first National Elite final and tonight clashes with three-time champion Dean Walsh in the welterweight final.
The hammer-handed Oakleaf ABC star has been sitting his Mock exams in Deele College, Raphoe of late, something that has perhaps proved a welcome distraction as he prepares for the biggest night yet of his young career.
McGinty is already an experienced puncher, having won a bronze medal at the 2012 European Schoolboy Championships and a silver at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Russia.
McGinty has worn the Irish vest at several big Championships and was captain for last year’s European and World Youth Championships.
Walsh won his titles and a European bronze at light-welter, but has stepped up and while the Wexford man is an experienced operator he, too, has entered new territory with the step up in weight.
It’s something that McGinty could use to his advantage, particularly in the early stages tonight.
“He’s three time Senior Champion, and deservedly so, fair play to him, but at a lower weight, 64kg. He’s stepping into our world now,” McGinty said after a superb win over Peter Carr last Friday night.
“Dean Walsh is a top boxer, safe to say he’s got youth behind him as well, but at the same time he’s got international experience at Senior level. That doesn’t phase me, I can honestly say that doesn’t phase me in the slightest.
“I’m sure he has respect for me, and I have respect for him, but next week has the makings of a good fight. Next Friday night I’m going to come to fight, Dean’s going to come to fight, sure let’s have it.”
Tonight’s finals come at the outset of the 2020 Olympic cycle and, although Steven Donnelly – who was the 2016 Games in Rio and who is injured for these Championships – is still around, this fight is a massive one for McGinty, already highly regarded in the High Performance Unit.
In the light-flyweight final, Darryl Moran of the Illies Golden Gloves tackles Derryman Blaine Dobbins in a fight that will have the fireworks crackling, while Carrigart woman Maeve McCarron is guaranteed the women’s cruiserweight crown having been the sole entrant.
In the women’s 81kgs final, former Raphoe ABC puncher Caroline Connolly is up against Leona Houlihan of Crumlin. Connolly is now back with Mourne Golden Gloves in her hometown, Strabane.
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