Flanagan Battles back.
Berinsfield’s Ciaran Flanagan came from behind with a determined effort in the final session to emerge as Home Counties schoolboy champion in the Class 3 (born 1997) 44kg category at Luton.
In an intense battle with Stevenage’s Danny Hashmi, the Oxfordshire teenager had more in the tank at the end and was a worthy winner.
Unlucky not to join him was Michael McDonagh – from the same outfit – after a thrilling three-round toe-to-toe encou-nter with Bletchley’s Owen Gidman.
The narrowest of margins separated the pair at the end with a single punch landed by his rival just before the bell denying the Berinsfield boxer a Home Counties title.
Flanagan is among a quartet of local contenders in action at the Exeter Hall in Kidlington tomorrow when the Home Counties champions take on their counterparts from London in the national quarter-finals.
He is joined by southpaw Ronan Wadley – from the same Berinsfield gym – who will be competing in the Class 2 (14 years and under) 42kg division.
After an intense toe-to-toe first session, McDonagh intensified his attack.
An unanswered barrage made his rival wilt to prompt the referee to step in and call a halt 30 seconds into round two of their Class 1 (13 and under) 36kg clash.
McDonagh now meets Bletchley’s Owen Gidman in the Home Counties final at Luton on Monday. In the same age group, Jamie Maughan was the victim of a highly-dubious decision following his 46kg encounter with Steve O’Hara from the host gym.
The Berinsfield youngster looked to be in control throughout and the result stunned his corner.
Ciaran Flanagan has his first outing in the championship at Luton where he faces Stevenage’s Danny Hashmi in the Class 3 (15 and under) 44kg category.
Already through to the national quarter-finals is southpaw Rowan Wadley, who mesmerised Stevenage rival Charlie Eales for three rounds to be Home Counties champion in the Class 2 (14 and under) 42 kg division
With a determined, focused and courageous display, she outpointed Jordon O’Don-oghue, from the Swindon-based Walcot ABC.
McGuckin, who attends Larkmead School in Abingdon, said: “It is absolutely amazing; I’m now a national champion.
“But I have to express my sincere gratitude to the Berinsfield coaches – Mel and Lee Corrigan – for all their hard work, patience, guidance and continued faith in me.”
Mel Corrigan said: “This is a great day for the gym and, hopefully, other girls will follow Niamh’s example.
“We have had national schoolboy title-winners and other champions, but this achievement is right on a par with those successes.”
The computerised scoring system had the two girls level after the first round.
But McGuckin’s composure was a crucial factor in the clash as she maintained a tight guard and landed neat clusters off a firm and solid jab.
And the tactics reaped their reward, the Berinsfield girl edging ahead by the end of round two, before clinching victory in the final period.
The 13-year-old Oxfordshire prospect came close last season when she lost a narrow decision to Emma Dolan.
And she was also narrowly outpointed when the pair met again in another thriller on a Berinsfield show this year.
But Dolan has now moved up a weight division, which means a relatively unknown opponent is now waiting for McGuckin in the other corner – Jordon O’Donoghue.
Both girls have accumulated wins under their belt and have the pedigree to produce a truly absorbing 42kg final in the category for entrants born in 1998.
Berinsfield chief coach Mel Corrigan said: “Niamh has trained really well and worked hard with all three coaches at the gym.
“She came close last season and that extra determination being shown now will see her get the reward all her effort deserves.
Fearless Flanigan Flew to Victory.
Berinsfield’s Joe Fisher claimed his second win in the space of a week – following a unanimous decision over Oxford University’s Conor Husbands at Cowley – as he gained a comprehensive points success over Dean Botean at Hanwell.
After a close opening round, Fisher, 23 forced his strong southpaw rival, and offloaded flurries of head and body shots to win easily.
Luke Holden, 21, claimed a debut victory and the boxer-of-the-night award as Berinsfield ABC recorded eight wins during their sell-out dinner show at the Rover Club in Cowley.
He gained a split decision following a pulsating toe-to-toe middleweight clash with Bristol southpaw Aiden Watson.
Light middleweight Joe Fisher, 23, imposed a standing count – following an unanswered six-punch cluster – on his way to a points success against Oxford University’s Conor Husbands.
Southpaw welterweight Parmoth Dewan upended taller RAF Benson rival James Newton with a solid left on his way to a unanimous decision.
And middleweight Michael Lobb, 25, duly delivered in the final bout against Watchet’s Callum Harperas, thanks to a series of right hands. Jamie Maughan, 12, delivered the first of four consecutive junior wins for the hosts, proving slicker than Abingdon southpaw Lewis Beazley.
Left-hander Ronan Wadley, 13, dictated the pace against Coventry’s Jamie Edwards for his fifth win on the trot.
Ciaran Flanagan claimed an early 14th birthday present as he took all ringside votes over Cheshunt’s Aaron Virciglio.
And Mark McDonagh, 15, got the nod on a split decision over Droitwich rival Wayne Jones. Niamh McGuckin had a re-match of her national schoolgirl final against Attleborough’s Emma Dolan and the two 13 year-olds served up a feast for the ringside diners.
The taller Dolan got the nod on a split decision.
Michael McDonagh, 12, was edged out by Droitwich rival Wayne Smith and Callum Wallis-Hamilton lost his debut to South Oxhey’s Charlie Halls.
The occasional bruised chin or black eye are not an unusual sight in a boxing gym.
But pay a visit to Berinsfield ABC on a Monday or Thursday evening and – despite more than an hour of frantic activity - you will not spot a single blemish on the faces of the participants.
All those involved are female and are amongst an increasing number turning up twice a week for Boxercise Classes at one of the best equipped gyms in the country.
Berinsfield ABC can boast a facility worth £3/4 million and the team at the club have sought to embrace the entire community and make as much use of the premises as possible.
The Boxercise classes are just the latest idea in attracting more female involvement from the area – the club had a finalist in last season’s National Schoolgirl boxing championships in Niamh McGuckin and Naomi Hill has been an established coach there for several seasons.
And they began as a direct result of a request from people living in the area.
Chief coach Mel Corrigan explained: “I was approached about organising some exercise classes for women living locally and, by word of mouth, it just seemed to take off from there.
There is a wide age range amongst the participants with a variety of reasons cited for wanting to get involved.
Housewife Tracy Bonner merely wanted the chance to get fit, but her daughter, Amy McKnight, wanted to get her figure back after giving birth to Daisy six months ago.
Jen Harwood, who works at the nearby sports centre, added: “I came along for some extra training and then simply got bitten by the bug. It’s great fun with a great group of girls and I really enjoy each session.
School cook Mandy Kenny echoed those sentiments, saying: “I came along with a friend and now I’m addicted.
Further details from Mel Corrigan on 07860 156950.
Berinsfields Mark mcdonagh 15, secured a polished points success over Michael Crawley from the host club, boxing at the Triumph club in Coventry
Mcdonagh proved to slick on the counter throughout this fast pased contest with precise shots from both fists to head and body to gain a convincing victory.
Berinsfield boxing club has had a fantastic start to the new season not only with all the hard work the boys are putting in getting ready for the school boy championships and our drama queen niamh is putting alot of time in the gym getting ready for her championships which start next month.
Our ladys nights are really taking off so much so we have added another night on thursday evenings 8:45-9:45 due to high demand.
Wadley double joy!
Berinsfield southpaw Ronan Wadley posted his second success of the campaign when he claimed a determined points success over tenacious and taller Derby rival Jake Morgan at Hayes.
The two squared up to each other from the bell, but it was the Oxfordshire 13-year-old’s crispness on the counter that gave the edge and the decision over his Merlin Youth ABC opponent.
But fellow left-hander Parmoth Dewan did not see the decision go his way later at the same tournament.
He missed out on a split decision to taller Hayes rival Abhivaden Talwor after an absorbing three-round battle.
Schoolboy Michael McDonagh was the victim of a harsh verdict at Bromsgrove following his clash with Sean Butler, of Droitwich ABC.
The 11-year-old Berinsfield boxer seemed to land the more eye-catching shots of the pair, yet saw his rival get the nod on a dubious split decision.
Coach Lee Corrigan said: “At least it was not a championship bout, otherwise it would have been more painful to swallow.”
what a great start to the new season.
Wadley's attacks wear down rival
Berinsfield’s Ronan Wad-ley, 13, began the new season in style with a points victory over Ben Stevens at Aldershot.
Holden's debut hits the heights
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Berinsfield ABC’s Niamh McGuckin is a national champion after capturing the schoolgirls’ 42kg title (aged 13 years) in Manchester. Berinsfield’s Niamh McGuckin is hoping to capture her first major title when she competes in the finals of the ABA national schoolgirls championships in Manchester today. 
Ciaran was completely in comand in all three rounds of boxing Beating his Opponent to combanations To head an Body and gaining a unamious decision And helping the Home Counties win by 9-3,
His Oppent was A Khan from Small Heath abc.