]DCU boxers John Marshall and Faolan Rahill won gold medals in the Celtic Cup competition in Dungarven last weekend.
Marshall and Rahill won gold in the multinational competition which had national squads and the Irish Defence Force among the clubs represented.
“It’s one of the biggest multinational competitions and we were the only college club represented in it” said John Marshall.
They achieved a 50 per cent gold record for DCU boxing in the competition, with Shane Carter narrowly losing out in the quarter finals and Solomon Simon losing in the semi finals. When asked where the win ranked in his career, Marshall said it was his biggest for certain.
“Most college clubs stick to the inter-varsity circuit, but we’re competing and winning multinational tournaments” said Marshall.
The competition took place at the beginning of the academic year and Marshall spoke of the satisfaction of the win after training all summer. The DCU boxer and vice chairperson of DCU’s boxing society also paid homage to his coaches Terry Keegan and Derek Ahern.
“There’s no better feeling than when you put in the work and reap the rewards,” said Marshall.
“They put in serious work with us all over summer training three to four times a week.”
Marshall also pointed to the effort made during fight week as Keegan and Ahern took time off work to make sure the boxing team made weight and recovered well.
“They brought us for sparring in the lead up and we’re so grateful for all the work they put in,” he said.
Marshall is studying primary teaching in St Patrick’s College and stressed that study came before boxing.
“My education comes first, if I’m stressed with assignments I always put them first,” he noted.
Marshall concluded with his excitement for the year ahead and referenced senior clubs looking to spar the DCU boxers as a sign of the energy and atmosphere in the club.
John Morley
Image Credit: DCU Athletic Boxing Club/Facebook