Blaney into last four

Last weekend proved to be hectic for Wilkinstown boxer Christopher Blaney as he recorded victories in the National and Meath championships on successive days. Some sharp counter-punching from Blaney helped him pick up a convincing 13-1 victory over Andrew Jennings from the St Cathrine's Club, Dublin in the 75kg category at the 2011 Elite Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday. Early that morning Blaney had to attend the weigh-in at the Stadium before returning to his home in Wilkinstown for some rest. He later travelled back to Dublin for his bout with Jennings which was scheduled to start at 6.40. Blaney took a firm control against Jennings and quickly went about achieving his big win. His father Neil also had a busy day on Saturday as he was a judge for some of the bouts at the Elite Championships. Christopher Blaney's victory has earned him a semi-final bout with Jason Quigley again at the Stadium on Saturday night. Quigley was last year's beaten finalist and is sure to prove a difficult opponent. “It will be a test for Christopher both mentally and physically,†added Neil Blaney. In recent weeks Christopher Blaney has had to travel to Portlaoise and Wexford to find sparring partners in the 75kg section as he prepared for the National championships. On Sunday he was on more familiar ground when he took part in the Meath Boxing Championships at the CYWS Hall, Navan and took the Intermediate title defeating Michael Reilly from the St Seachnall's club in Dunshaughlin. South Meath were the most successful club at the championships with eight wins while Navan were next with seven winners with St Seachnall's and Ashbourne other Meath clubs to feature. There was one girls' final when Shanna Blaney (Navan) defeated Shannon Stowe (Drogheda). There were also 49 walk-overs which will be of concern to the organisers. RESULTS Meath Open Boxing Championship finals: intermediate final 75kg - Christopher Blaney (Navan) bt Michael Reilly (St Seachnall's); novice finals: 85kg - Nigel Heffernan (South Meath) bt Hugh Conlon (Collon/Philipstown); 81kg - Aodhan Woods (St Seachnall's) bt Barry Myles (O'Hanlon Park); 75kg - Owen Duffy (South Meath) bt Aaron Brown (Ashbourne); 64kg - Davy Maguire (Dealgan) bt Ruad Baghban (Dunboyne); Youth 2 80kgs - Pat McDonnell (St Seachnall's) bt Prionsias McFadden (Navan); Youth 1 70kgs - Gerard Nevin (Holy Family) bt John O'Donnell (St Seachnall's); Youth 1 66kgs - Martin O'Leary (South Meath) bt Jonathan Durnan (Collon/Philipstown); Youth 1 60kgs - Leroy Dick (Navan) bt Dean Hill (Holy Family); Boy 4 86kgs - Cathal Fitzsimons (South Meath) bt Kane Joyce Keogh (Ashbourne); Boy 4 60kgs - Tiernan Bird (South Meath) bt Cathal Clarke (Collon/Philipstown); Boy 4 50kgs - Gary Dunne (Drogheda) bt Sean Brady (Navan); Boy 4 46kgs - Adam Gill (South Meath) bt Dylan O'Brien (Holy Family); Boy 4 Final 42kgs - Shane Leslie (Holy Family) bt Luke Dempsey (South Meath); Boy 3 Final 44kgs - Anthony Stokes (St Seachnall's) bt Kalen McConville (Dealgan); Boy 3 42kgs - Michael Joyce (Ashbourne) bt Patrick O'Donnell (St Seachnall's); Boy 2 57kgs - Danny Morris (Navan) bt Martin Reilly (Navan); Boy 2 52kgs - Darragh Murray (South Meath) bt David McDonagh (Drogheda); Boy 2 46kgs - James McDonagh (Clann Naofa) bt Killian Barrett (Navan); Boy 2 39kgs - Dean Clarke (Holy Family) bt Tom Stokes (St Seachnall's); Boy 1 44kgs - Christopher Gaynor (Navan) bt Michael Barea (South Meath); Boy 1 42kgs - Eoin Joyce (Ashbourne) bt John McGahan (Drogheda); Boy 1 final 36kgs - Shane McEntee (Navan) bt Tadhg McConville (Dealgan); Girl 1 33kgs - Shanna Blaney (Navan) bt Shannon Stowe (Drogheda). Clubs (titles): South Meath (eight), Navan (seven), Holy Family (five), Clan Naofa (four), St Seachnall's (three), Ashbourne (two), Drogheda (two), Collon/Philipstown (one), Dealgan (one).