OLYMPIC silver medallist Kenny Egan was among the 200-strong crowd treated to a feast of top-class boxing at the Milestone Inn on Friday night as Bracken Boxing Club took on the Welsh Western Division.

The visitors draw fighters from eight different clubs, but it was Bracken who came out on top on the night, winning eight of the 12 bouts.

The home contingent were without Gerard Whitehouse and Rob Gorman, but there were plenty of heroes ready and able to take their place.

'Some of the boxing was superb,' revealed Bracken coach Kieran O'Neill. 'It was a full Western Division team, but we beat them 8-4 which was fantastic.

'I don't like to leave anyone out, but we had a few excellent performances on the night.

'Conor Duffy gave a superb southpaw display, with a style not unlike Kenny Egan himself. He's still only 16, but he produced some of the best boxing of his life out there and his opponent had a standing count in the last round.'

Another fighter to really stand out on the night was 16year-old Aaron McLoughlin.

'Aaron's a real fans' favourite because of his all-action swashbuckling style. He went on a two-handed attack from the start and even the Welsh coaches couldn't believe how much power he had for someone so young.'

Another popular winner was Shane Egan, who works in the Milestone Inn. He delighted the home crowd and his workmates with a points victory over a tough opponent.

One of the fights of the night was the first on the card, as two stars of tomorrow battled it out in a thrilling contest.

'It was two 12-year-olds, Christy O'Reilly and Ben James, and they really went at each other. The Welsh lad was always trying to attack, but Christy showed he can absorb the pressure and counter-punch too.'

One of the unluckiest fighters on the night was Bracken's Oisin Smyth, who narrowly missed out on victory despite forcing a standing count in the final round of his bout.

All in all, though, it was another successful night for the Balbriggan club and Kieran paid special tribute to local businessman Anthony McCormack for his help.

'This is the first time Anthony has got involved with us, but we're hoping it's the start of a long and successful relationship. The night would not have been possible without him.

'I'd also like to thank Kenny Egan and Balbriggan Cathaoirleach Monica Harford for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend.

'We're now looking at arranging a return trip – possibly to Swansea – in April or May.'

- John SAVAGE