Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 4:59pm

Meath boxers advance to national semi-finals

by Jimmy Geoghegan

Christopher Blaney enjoyed another victory in the National Stadium at the weekend.
Pic by==: 97

Meath boxer Christopher Blaney continued his good form of late when he progressed to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Youth championships when he defeated Anthony Furlong of Wexford at the weekend.

The Navan Boxing Club member produced a highly competent display to out-score his opponent 13-3 in the 69kg weight division at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

Blaney led the way throughout the contest and at the end of the opening round he was 5-2 ahead. At the end of the second round he led 8-2 and at the final bell he was well in front.

The semi-finals take place at the Stadium on Friday evening, 6.30 and Blaney will face Stephen Broadhurst from Dalgan BC in Dundalk.

Broadhurst is sure to prove a difficult opponent as he has represented Ireland and bagged a number of national titles.

The bout against Furlong was only Blaney's second three-minute, three-round encounter and proved to be a physically demanding encounter.

"Chris was tired by the end of the third round, it was constant toe to toe, there wasn't much time for breathers," added Chris's father Neil who also doubles as his trainer along with George Gibney.

"It will be a big challenge for him in the semi-final because when you get to that stage you can be certain you will come up against a difficult opponent."

Christopher Blaney defeated Stephen Connolly from Crumlin BC in the opening round of the qualifiers. If he wins the semi-final he will be involved in the final the following night.

Jonathan Carroll of the St Seachnall's club in Dunshaughlin also qualified for the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Youth championships when he defeated Jason Conroy of Crumlin BC on a 9-4 scoreline in the 60kgs weight division. He will now meet Paul Kelly from Donegal.

Another St Seachnall's club member Thomas Stokes put up a battling performance before losing out to Fergal McCrory from the Clonoe club, Tyrone when the referee stopped the contest in the third round of their 64kgs weight division contest.

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