Cookstown boxers show their class at All-Irelands

Cookstown Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) celebrated a remarkable week at the prestigious All Ireland Championships held at the National Stadium in Dublin, with young stars Tom Coyle and Barney Hutton leading the charge by securing gold and silver medals, respectively, in thrilling finals.

The club’s five-strong squad delivered gutsy performances across multiple days, showcasing the talent and tenacity of Cookstown’s rising boxing stars under the guidance of coaches Chalky Kelly & Fred Hampsey.

The action kicked off on Day 1 with three fighters representing the club. Tom Coyle (Boy 1, 31kg), the reigning Ulster champion, faced a tough quarter-final against Antrim champion Oisin Murphy (St. Monica’s, Newry). After a slow start, Coyle found his rhythm across three dominant rounds, securing a unanimous 5-0 victory to advance.

Next, Charlie Townsend (Boy 1, 46kg), another Ulster champion, battled Christy Nevin (Mullingar Shufflers) in a fiercely competitive three-round contest. Despite a valiant effort, Townsend narrowly lost on a 3-2 split decision. Nevin later claimed the All Ireland title, a testament to the calibre of Townsend’s performance.

Closing Day 1, Barney Hutton (Boy 2, 40kg) delivered a masterclass in his quarter-final against Connacht’s Thomas McDonagh (St. Ann’s). Hutton controlled the fight over three rounds, earning a 5-0 unanimous decision to progress to the semi-finals.

The next day Tom Coyle returned to the ring against Leinster champion Conor Ryan in a semi-final described as “one of the fights of the week.” After another slow start, Coyle dug deep across three intense rounds, clinching a dramatic 3-2 split decision victory to secure his place in Friday’s final. Ryan McNulty (Boy 1, 52kg) faced a grueling semi-final, battling through three tough rounds before falling to a 4-1 split decision. Despite the loss, McNulty’s journey to the All Ireland semi-finals marked a significant milestone in his development.

Cathoir Mullen (Boy 2, 33kg) narrowly missed out on a final berth in a contentious semi-final against Munster champion Jack Murphy. Over three tightly contested rounds, Mullen rallied in the latter stages but lost on a 4-1 split decision, leaving coaches and supporters convinced he had done enough to win. Later, Barney Hutton returned for his semi-final against Edward Cocran (Titans BC) in a nail-biting clash. Hutton’s precision and composure over three rounds earned him a hard-fought 3-2 split decision victory, booking his spot in the final.

It was then onto Finals Day. Barney Hutton faced Paddy Doherty (Treaty BC) in the Boy 2 40kg final. In a tightly contested three-round match, Hutton fell just short, settling for a well-deserved silver medal after a gallant effort.

The week culminated with Tom Coyle stepping into the ring for the Boy 1 31kg final against David Mahony (Crumlin BC). In what coaches hailed as “the best performance of his young career,” Coyle dominated all three rounds, sealing a 4-1 split decision victory to be crowned 2025 All Ireland Boy 1 Champion – a historic achievement for the 31kg prodigy and his dedicated team.

Head Coach Chalky Kelly praised the squad’s resilience: “Tom’s gold and Barney’s silver are phenomenal achievements, but every one of our boxers left everything in the ring. Charlie and Ryan proved they belong at this level, Cathoir was unlucky not to progress, and Barney’s journey to the final was inspirational. Tom’s victory is a testament to his hard work and the club’s culture of excellence.”

Cookstown ABC’s success has electrified the local community, with supporters traveling en masse to cheer on their young heroes. The club’s reputation as a breeding ground for champions continues to grow, with eyes now set on future national and international competitions.

Final Medal Tally

Tom Coyle – All Ireland Boy 1 31kg Champion

Barney Hutton – All Ireland Boy 2 40kg Runner-Up

Cookstown ABC Squad Participants: Tom Coyle, Charlie Townsend, Barney Hutton, Ryan McNulty, Cathoir Mullen