THERE have been countless setbacks and frustrations along the way – but Jon McConnell is determined that, as he punches his way into next week’s Ulster Elite Championships, this will be his year.
The Holy Trinity ace finally claimed his first Irish elite title back in November, defeating former champions Eugene McKeever and Wayne Kelly along the way to claim the light-middleweight crown.
As a result, McConnell was called into an assessment camp weeks later, alongside the likes of two-time Olympian Aidan Walsh and the highly-rated Bobbi Flood. Since catching the eye, the 22-year-old has been included in the High Performance senior squad for full-time training ahead of what he hopes will be a busy 2025.
“We did nine rounds of school of combat, so it was tough,” he smiled on his first day down in Dublin after Christmas, “they don’t ease you in.”
The likes of the Strandja multi-nations tournament is coming up next month, with the IBA World Championships set to take place in Kazakhstan in May/June, though exact dates have yet to be confirmed.
In September, meanwhile, World Boxing – who hope to secure the Olympic future of the sport by becoming officially recognised by the International Olympic Council – will host its inaugural World Championships in Liverpool.
After missing out on last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, it feels like a new beginning for McConnell.
“If you’re being asked down there [to Abbotstown], you’re doing something right.
“The opportunities you get, boxing against high level boxers, you’re obviously going to improve. Even coming back after Christmas, I’m in great shape; I was surprised how sharp I was in sparring, very fit.
“My foot’s in the door now, so it’s up to me to make the most of it. Why should I not be going? I’m good enough, I just don’t feel I’ve had the real opportunity to show it yet.
“This is my year to show it.”
Resilience has played a significant part in McConnell’s journey too.
A handful of narrow defeats saw him miss out on valuable international experience in the underage ranks, while he was also in the mix for a place at the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Eighteen months out from Paris 2024, with Aidan Walsh stepping away from the sport at that stage, McConnell was at the head of the pack at light-middle – until a split decision defeat to eventual champion Dean Walsh in the Irish elites derailed best-laid plans.
A few months later he faced Matthew McCole, aiming to defend his Ulster crown, but came out on the wrong side of another 3-2 split in the final. His performance that night, he insists, was a knock-on effect from the disappointment of seeing his Olympic dream extinguished.
But harsh lessons have been learned and, with the Ulsters taking place next week, McConnell has his sights set on righting a few wrongs.
“Oh Jesus, I was annoyed, but I was more annoyed with myself.
“At the time I was annoyed with the decision but my performance wasn’t what it should’ve been – I didn’t prepare the way Jon McConnell prepares. I’m a professional, like, and I didn’t prepare the way I needed to prepare.
“After the Irish elites, and losing to Dean Walsh, I was sickened - I knew that was the one for the Olympics, and that was it. Maybe my attitude shifted a wee bit after that… do I think I won [against McCole]? Yeah. But did I box the way I should’ve boxed? Definitely not.
“If that fight comes up again, you’ll see the real result. I wised up after, I knew what I did after was wrong, throwing the toys out of the pram, but that comes with age and maturity.
I’m just turned 22, I’ve still a lot to learn.
“A few years ago, when I lost in those Irish elites, I was still very young, way too small for the weight, and internationally that’s a big factor. Now, I’ve filled into it well, and I’m ready.
“People have seen glimpses, and you saw in the Stadium at the elites, but I just feel there’s so much more to come. My discipline and my professionalism outside the ring over the years, I think all that will show this year.
“The staying in the gym, not partying, missing out on holidays - it has to show at some stage and I know for a fact it will show this year. Everyone will see it.”
EAGLESON SET FOR RING RETURN
DYLAN Eagleson will make his long-awaited return to the ring at next week’s Ulster Elite Championships.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist hasn’t boxed since November 2023, and went under the knife last January to try and fix an ongoing problem on his right hand.
Since subsequent minor surgery in November, however, the 21-year-old has been back between the ropes, completing competitive rounds of sparring and – alongside St Paul’s club-mates Peter Weatherall and Noel Grew – has entered the Ulster elites.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR IRISH OLYMPIAN McCAFFERTY
BIRTHDAY boy Seanie McCafferty celebrated his 80th birthday recently with a special family tribute night, writes Denis O’Hara.
McCafferty, who boxed for Ireland at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, reached the milestone on December 17 and was joined by two other December birthday boxing icons - Patsy McKenna (82) of Holy Cross, Ardoyne and once trainer of professional Eamonn Magee, as well as renowned Holy Family, Drogheda coach Jim Gorman (78).
Former professional bantam and featherweight McCafferty, whose family has been a constant cornerstone of the famous St John Bosco Boxing Club for many decades, was also joined by NI Ex-Boxers’ Association colleagues including Paddy Maguire and Tokyo ‘64 team-mate Paddy Fitzsimons.
Seanie’s son Barry, also a former Ulster and Irish amateur champion, said :”It was a fabulous occasion and my dad was taken aback by the number of folk who joined to wish him well on his 80th birthday.
“Remarkably, my dad, Patsy McKenna and Jim Gorman are still active in the coaching side of boxing.”
