Oakleaf boxers star at club's Junior show

The next generation of boxing talent took the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of thrilled parents, grandparents at Oakleaf ABC recently. 
At the club's first Junior show of the year, young boxers from Oakleaf, St Bridget’s, Duke’s, Letterkenny and Dunree got together to put on a show their families will never forget, as they took their first steps into competitive boxing action.
The event at Oakleaf on Sunday past was sponsored by Danny McDaid of PULSE Security, who was incidentally, one of the first coaches at Oakleaf way back in 1992. 
Oakleaf Coach Eugene O'Kane was delighted with the performance of the youngsters.
“We just wanted to give all the young boys and young girls a wee run out,” he explained. “It was good to see their parents and their grandparents there, as well as all their brothers and sisters all supporting them. 
“I think it's important to get a wee run out to let people see how you're doing. Our wee junior programme 'Kid Gloves' has been going for a while now on Mondays and Wednesdays. It's like a conveyor belt, you try and bring them through from the juniors into the bigger groups. It also reassures the parents that nobody gets hurt. It's all done safely.”
Oakleaf youngster Darragh Fraser was named the Best Home Boxer on the day, but this was a day when everyone was a winner.
“It was definitely a worthwhile experience,” O'Kane agreed. “Most of the wee boxers, especially from Oakleaf, it was their first time in the ring and it gave them a bit of experience. It was a great wee day out and we're going to have more of them as well. 
“There were  no winners or losers, it was all about skill and enjoying themselves. It gives the wee boxers loads of confidence. You could see after the first round of the fights, they would come into it more with more confidence. It's all about displaying their talents in front of people and if eventually, they decide to take up the sport, it's a good start. It was just a wee introduction to the sport of boxing.”