Dylan McDonagh believes he is the ‘away’ fighter in local derby

Dylan McDonagh [3(1)-1(0)] admits he feels he will be the away fighter in the Battle of Jobstown this coming Saturday night but has promised that he will be bringing the Irish title back to his little corner of Tallaght regardless.

The 33-year-old takes on local rival and stablemate Carl McDonald [4(0)-2(0)] for the Irish super bantamweight title in the ‘Celtic Clash 7’ headline fight at Good Counsel GAA Club but is approaching the contest with an outsider’s mindset.

Both boxers are under the Boxing Ireland Promotions banner but McDonagh, who is managed by Ian Gaughran, believes McDonald, who is managed by Boxing Ireland’s Stephen Sharpe, is very much the ‘home’ fighter.

It’s not a problem, claims ‘The Firecracker’ – indeed, if anything, being on the right hand side of the poster only serves to motivate him.

“I do feel like the away fighter, definitely,” McDonagh told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Carl is obviously close with the Hylands and Stephen Sharpe, but look, that’s fine, it’s not an issue.”

“I actually prefer being the away fighter, that pushes me on, I always prepare like I’m the away fighter.”

While McDonagh was sure to make his point, the Jonathan Lewins-trained fighter stressed that he was not suggesting there is anything underhand at play.

“I don’t think I need to do anything extra, no, everything will be fair,” said McDonagh.

“I just focus on myself and I know that will be enough ”

The Westside BC graduate has kept his cards quite close to his chest throughout the build-up.

During an entertaining ‘Round Zero’, McDonagh refused to be drawn on divulging his tactics or even what flaws he sees in McDonald.

Are we in store for some surprises on Saturday night then?

McDonagh, however, remained both coy and confident.

“Ha! I don’t really want to discuss my tactics, people will see on the night,” promised the Dublin pressure fighter.

“Just know that I’ve put everything into this and I am 120% confident that I will get the win, I’ve no doubts.”

“I’m not focusing on him, I don’t focus on any opponents, I only focus on myself and my preparations.”

“I’ve been visualising the Irish title this whole camp, I’ve done all the hard work and now it’s just about Saturday.”