Darryl Moran – “I was just a wee bit stronger”

One of the most impressive performances of the National Under-22 Championships came in the first fight of the night on Friday.

Illies GG light flyweight Darryl Moran claimed Irish title number nine with a dominant and destructive display at the National Stadium.

Facing rangey Urlingford stylist Jordan Leahy, the Donegal boxer was just too strong for his younger opponent and would force a third round count en-route to a unanimous decision win.

In what was an exciting, attacking display, Moran looked very sharp, negating his size disadvantage with some good footwork, throwing some nice lead rights, and at times going to the body like a grizzled Mexican veteran.

Afterwards the Ulsterman spoke to Irish-Boxing.com and described how “the first round I just came out and took it easy, get to know him, then the plan was to push him back because we knew he was tall.”

“I was just a wee bit stronger and I got in there, close. I was just throwing combos as the fight went on.”

Moran now looks likely to be picked for the Irish team that head to Romania in March for the European Under-22s. However, with Paddy Barnes and Regan Buckley gone pro, and Stevie McKenna and Conor Kearney moved up in weight, there is a distinct possibility that 20 year old Moran is now the main man in Ireland at 49kg.

Looking forward Moran noted that “Hopefully now [I will be picked for Euro U22s squad], and I have the Elites next week.”

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Eric Donovan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 2 of the Irish Boxing Show: