Dylan does it for Evie – McDonagh returns to winning ways in Scotland

Dylan McDonagh ended his run of defeats with victory in Scotland on Friday night.

‘The Firecracker’ defeated Marius Vysniauskas to register his first win since the Summer of 2017. 

The 34-year-old out pointed the Lithuanian in his second successive Scottish hosted bout, this time winning on a show at the Town Hall in Elgin.

In fairness to the Jobstown fighter his defeats have come after early steps up in both class and weight.

His first reverse came after an admirable performance away to Matchroom prospect Sean McGoldrick in just his fourth fight and just second bout after a frustrating  year sabbatical.

He stayed at bantamweight to challenge for the Irish title against neighbour Carl ‘The Cobra’ McDonald just three months later. Another close and entertaining fight ensued, but McDonagh suffered points reverse and McDonald took the green strap.

Another bantamweight title fight followed, as the Tallaght fighter fought for the vacant BUI Celtic title in Aberdeen and lost on points to the undefeated Billy ‘The Butcher’ Stewart.

Friday represented a return to his natural weight of flyweight and he returned to winning ways in the process.

The Jonathan Lewins trained puncher will now hope to continue a flyweight charge and possible collect some domestic honours at the weight in 2020.

Speaking on social media after the victory McDonagh said: “Massive thank you to my coach Jonathan Lewins this man has brought me to a new level. This couldn’t be done without my amazing wife Sinead McDonagh, her first fight not by my side. To my coaches Nicky Dullard, Parkie Lewins thank you for everything lads. I also want to thank my manager Ian Gaughran for all the work he has put in behind the scenes and getting me on the show.It was an honour to represent this little beautiful girl HopeforEvie check out the go fund me link https://www.gofundme.com/f/hopeforevie19.

“Big thanks to all my sponsors, I honestly couldn’t do this without your help. Gareth Francis Kickstart Fitness, Maguire Air Conditioning, The Herald, Copd and The Prep Master.”

The win see’s McDonagh push his slate to 4-3-0 while his opponent Marius Vysniauskas slips to 2-4-0.