LOCAL HEROES 2017 Tyler Toland, Damien McGinty, William and Damien Duddy
TYLER TOLAND
Massive congratulations to Tyler Toland who this evening picked up the FAI Under 16 Women's International Player of the Year award at the awards ceremony in Dublin!
A fantastic achievement for Tyler whose hard work over the past year was recognised at the ceremony held at RTE studios. The St.Johnston native, daughter of former Finn Harps player Maurice Toland, has recently returned from a week in Serbia where she played every minute of the Republic of Ireland's Elite European qualification group games against Hungary, Serbia and Scotland which helped secure a place at this summer's European Championships.
BRETT MCGINTY:
Brett left for St. Petersburg Russia with high hopes of
claiming gold for team Ireland where he was named as team Captain for the games.
Brett started off on his mission with a fine display against Kiattisak Promchuay
from Thailand with a third round stoppage having already gave his opponent 2
counts in round 2 before finishing off the fight early in the third round. This
win would lead Brett on to fight Slovakian Andrej Csemez. This fight raised a
lot of eyebrows with the decision being given to McGinty’s opponent which ended
Brett’s hopes for gold in the 2016 Youth Championships
DAMIEN & WILLIAM DUDDY
Damien is targeting a European belt in early 2017 after the St Johnston kickboxer won an ISKA 4 Nations title on Saturday 12th November. Damien scored a split decision win over Leicester’s Ross Thompson at the White Horse Hotel in Derry to claim his first title as a senior – and is now aiming for a continental strap.
Damien has won World and European titles as a junior and is now on the ladder of the senior ranks.
Since joining with the Pennyburn-based Mayhem, Duddy has
stepped up in weight and Saturday’s fight saw him take on Thompson in a
five-round contest at 72kgs.
Damien’s younger brother, William, also claimed his much
anticipated first ISKA title on the 12th November, William has been described as
a methodical fighter, keeping cool under pressure, and even resting against the
ropes while his opponent struggled with faulty leg protector.
The boys are of course coached by father, Cathal Duddy,
who celebrated a hat trick as one other fighters, Sarah McGowen, also claimed
her first ISKA title.
Cathal and his sons coach junior kickboxing at the Centre.