McDonagh wants Byrne clash

11 August 2010 – Cormac Campbell

Former Irish lightweight champion Peter The Connemara Kid McDonagh wants to square off with Dean Byrne.

In a statement issued to irish-boxing.com, McDonagh said that he hoped to return to the lightweight division for a clash with the US based Dubliner.

September is the new season and a new start for me as Im going back down to lightweight and chasing titles at that weight, he said.

McDonagh won the Irish crown in bizarre fashion against Michael Gomez in 2006, only to lose it to incumbent champion Andy Murray in 2008. Since then he has competed at the light-welterweight limit where he has come up short against the likes of Frankie Gavin and Yvan Mendy.

However, McDonagh believes that by boiling down, he can spring a surprise against the much hyped Byrne.

Should he face Byrne, McDonagh is hopeful that Andy Murray would step aside, allowing the duo to compete for the national crown.

I know Andy Murray has one the EU and is chasing the European title so if Dean wants to get it on Im sure Brain Peters and RTE would put it on.