Castlebar celebrates Bethany Doocey's national boxing title success

Bethany Doocey of Castlebar Boxing Club has reached new heights in her boxing career.

She contested the elite boxing championships final in the national boxing stadium in Dublin and brought home the golden prize at the very first time of asking.

Nineteen year old Doocey, from Keelouges, Ballavary, squared off against Nell Fox of Rathkeale B.C., Limerick.

Fox, a 13 time national champion, has defended the women's 81kg elite boxing title for the past five years and did not intend to let it go lightly, but had not considered the steely determination of the Castlebar woman.

From the first bell, Doocey took the centre of the ring and left the tall Munster boxer with no choice but to give up ground by taking the first backwards step.

From there, Bethany took the pose of the counterpuncher, slipping under the long reach of Fox and punishing every attack with both body and head shots.

Fox came charging out for the second, aware that she had lost the first round and knowing she had to impress the judges.

Forcing Doocey onto the ropes from the start, a quick sidestep and turn from Doocey and a barrage of shots soon slowed the Rathkeale boxer down and Doocey found herself two rounds up going into the third.

Only a stoppage could win it for Fox at this stage and all credit to the young woman she did not surrender her coveted title so easily.

Doocey, however, kept her composure, didn't panic, stuck to her boxing and got the nod of the judges for all three rounds.

Castlebar Boxing Club has enjoyed much success in the national championships over the years but this win has brought the club its first elite title.

All coaches and members have expressed their excitement and would like to congratulate Bethany on her incredible achievement.

This win has brought Bethany her seventh national title in total.

In 2019 she was part of an Irish team selected to box in Washington DC. she has also represented Ireland at the European championship in Russia, and again in Bulgaria.

Not bad for a girl who was once told by a coach (of a different sport) that boxing wouldn't get her anywhere.

And still only nineteen.