Maguire breaks ground for Esker

ESKER Boxing Club are set to have their first ever fighter represent the club in the National Elite Championship Finals this weekend when Luke Maguire takes on former champion Kieran Molloy.

In beating Emeka Onwuka, Maguire has teed up a rematch with former Elite champion Kieran Molloy in the 71kg decider and the Lucan lad is in the “shape of his life” heading into it.

“It’s a win, he’s on fire at the moment, he boxed very well,” Esker Boxing Club secretary Ed Griffin told The Echo.

“Luke was beaten by Kieran in the 2019 semi-final on a split decision, so he is determined to avenge that.

“He put in a masterclass last week and it’s the result of all of the work that he’s put in over the lockdowns.

“Even with the lockdowns, he was able to focus his mind and start working, first at home with his own training plan and then in the gym – and that was hard over the pandemic.

“He’s in the shape of his life, he has got his strength and conditioning right, it’s unreal how good his conditioning is.”

The 22-year-old carded a comprehensive 5-0 win over All Saints boxer Onwuka on Saturday at the National Stadium.

“Luke was able to pick off his shots and land some nice combinations” said Griffin. “He dropped his opponent in the fight, but that wasn’t given as a knockdown.

“But it just shows you the level that he’s at. He has seriously stepped up to that top, top elite level.

“It’s the first time a Lucan boxer representing Esker Boxing Club is in the final of the Elite’s and we have full faith in him.”

Still, there were mixed emotions for the club as Evan Fitzgerald, who is Maguire’s sparring partner, fell short of the mark, losing out to former Elite champion Wayne Kelly in the 67kg semis.

Facing off against a boxer who trains in the High Performance Unit in his first ever National Elite Championships, Fitzgerald gave a good account of himself and will take the experience into next year’s competition.