New Irish show set to be announced

A new show looks set to be added to the jam-packed Irish boxing schedule.

So far 2017 has been a busy year on the island, with four cards already taking place, three more officially confirmed, and plenty of others in the pipeline.

One of these is close to confirmation and will see Boxing Ireland Promotions – the brainchild of Leonard Gunning – return to the scene.

‘Celtic Clash 2: The Rising,’ will most likely take place in May, on a to-be-confirmed date. While venue has yet to be decided, Kildare is the favoured location – although Dublin remains a possibility.

Assumed headliner is the Gunning-managed former amateur star Eric Donovan [3(2)-0]. The European bronze medalist was in action at the tail-end of last month, easing past Stefan Nicolae at the National Stadium, and the 31 year old is hoping to be fast-tracked to Irish and European title glory.

The initial Celtic Clash in September 2013 has gone down in Irish boxing small hall lore. That card, co-promoted with Mark Dunlop, took place at The Devenish in Belfast and saw Stephen Reynolds stop Declan Trainor in the sixth round in the 2013 Irish Fight of the Year. Other boxers who featured that night included future BBBoC Celtic champions Anto Cacace and Paddy Gallagher, as well as two-time world title challenger Christina McMahon.

A formal announcement is expected in the near future.