Kilkenny stars strike gold at Nine Counties Championships

It was a weekend to remember for local boxing as two rising stars, Luke McKenna and Tommy Fitzpatrick, claimed titles at the prestigious Michael Andrew’s (Nine Counties) Championships.

Luke McKenna delivered a standout performance on Saturday, beating a two-time national champion by unanimous decision to take the Boy 2 59kg title.

The reigning national Boy 2 52kg champion, McKenna showcased his trademark precision and sharp left hand, landing clean, scoring shots that impressed the judges throughout the contest.

McKenna has been a dominant force on the domestic circuit over the past year, and his winning form shows no sign of slowing.

He now turns his attention to the Wexford Box Cup this coming weekend, where he will aim to add yet another accolade to his growing collection.

On Sunday, Tommy Fitzpatrick continued his excellent run of form, capturing the Junior 2 50kg title with a unanimous points decision in his final.

Displaying superb footwork and intelligent shot selection, Fitzpatrick made an emphatic start to his 2025/26 season. The talented youngster, who ended last season as the Junior 2 46kg National Champion, will also be in action at the Wexford Box Cup as he looks to add another gold medal to his record.

Both McKenna and Fitzpatrick’s victories underline the strength of the club’s youth boxing programme and its growing reputation on the national stage.

The focus now shifts to the Wexford International Box Cup this weekend, where the club will have a total of nine boxers in action.

It’s all systems go, with the club describing the event as a huge development opportunity for its athletes to gain valuable experience competing against clubs from across Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.

“It’s a great competition so early in the season and gives us something to build on,” said Head Coach Garry Kehoe highlighting the importance of the international exposure for their young fighters.