Olympic hopefuls Clancy & Gallagher headline Leitrim boxing celebration in Manorhamilton

Sports fans, let alone boxing aficionados, are in for a real treat next Saturday, April 15, in Manorhamilton when Sean McDermott Boxing Club's special event to celebrate 50 years of Leitrim All-Ireland Boxing titles will feature a bout between two fighters who could well be gracing the Paris Olympics next year.

Sean McDermott BC's own European U22 Champion Dean Clancy will take on Commonwealth featherweight champion Jude Gallagher in one of three headline senior bouts next Saturday evening in the Bee Park Community Centre.

Although they compete at different events, the bout between the two boxers who have 22 Irish titles, six European medals and one World bronze medal between them is an absolutely treat for any sports fans with both Dean and Jude down as Ireland's top selections for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Clancy was recently announced as the number one 63.5kg boxer after three days of assessment spars, the same process that also saw Gallagher named as the number one contender in the 57 kg ranks.

Both are now  picked to go forward to the European Games in Kraków and the regions of Małopolska in Poland from June 21, to 2 July 2, later this year which are being used as Olympic qualifiers for Paris 2024.

Although they compete at different weights, the bout featuring Clancy & Gallagher will greatly aid both fighters as they continue their preparations for the European Games.

Clancy and Gallagher's exhibition is undoubtedly the headline event but there will also be two other Senior bouts featuring Sean McDermott Club boxing Jason Clancy, brother of Dean, and Josh McDonagh while there are also a number of other exhibition bouts featuring juvenile.

Some of these young fighters will be experiencing their first time in the ring as Leitrim boxing showcases some of their up and coming talent.

The main point of the evening is, of course, to honour 50 years of Leitrim boxing champions from all over the county, an event that will draw some of the county's most decorated sports stars including the likes of European and Youth Olympic medalist Dearbhla Rooney of hosts Sean McDermott Boxing Club.  

The night of celebration gets underway from 7.30 pm in the Bee Park Community Centre with some special guests lined up for the event. Admission is €10 and €5 for U16s with a family rate also available while there will also be light refreshments and music on the evening.

So the Bee Park Community Centre is the place to be this Saturday and you might even see a preview of the boxing events at the 2024 Paris Olympics.