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The event was a sell out almost 1 week ahead of the 16th January - a credit to the organisers, Dromintee GAC Men's Senior Football Team. The running of the night was as impressive as the line-up. The DVD is eagerly anticipated, and there will be a launch night in Dromintee GAC Club during February. Full report below. 
 THE much-anticipated Dromintee Fight Night, held in the Carrickdale Hotel last Saturday, proved to be a massive success and it provided superb night of entertainment for all in attendance. With tickets sold out a week in advance, the crowd was in a boisterous mood as Cool FM DJ Connor Phillips took on MC duties for the night. The main event saw Derry’s star forward Paddy Bradley coming up against former Armagh defender Aidan O’Rourke. After an absorbing three rounds, The Dromintee native got the decision to send the locals home happy. Bradley’s cousin, and new Derry captain, Gerard O’Kane had been in action earlier in the night when he came up against prodigious Armagh talent Kevin Dyas. The former Collingwood player had been tipped as the one to watch on the night, however, O’Kane’s brawling style caused problems with the Oakleaf man just narrowly losing out. Dyas, who picked up the fighter of the night accolade, was on the offensive throughout, and his quick jabs swayed the judges to rule in his favour. Pat McEnaney received a hero’s welcome when he came to the ring, but, unfortunately, his scheduled opponent, Colm Coyle, was forced to withdraw after breaking his hand during training for the event. Monaghan fighter Darren McCusker stepped in at the very last moment and, with youth on his side, he came out on top. The fight of the night accolade went to the bout between Vince Martin and Laois star Colm Begley. Despite playing a full 70 minutes for Armagh that afternoon, Martin came out on top with a thunderous uppercut in the second proving to be decisive as it allowed him to take control. Barry Shannon was another man who played a whole game for the Orchard County but, like his defensive partner Martin, he was able to garner enough energy to see off the challenge of Antrim’s Kevin McGourty, whose southpaw technique kept him in the contest until the final stages. Shannon had proved one of Dromintee’s sharpest boxers during their intensive training, and he was able to bring this form into the big night. Perhaps the most impressive showing of the night came from another man who played for Armagh against UUJ hours earlier, Shane O’Neill. O’Neill was superb in the opening two rounds against Down man Aidan Carr, not allowing the Clonduff man to rest. To his credit, Carr fought back in the third and would have got the nod for the last round. Down did have a winner in Dan McCartan, the Burren man narrowly seeing off Micheal O’Rourke. McCartan threw more punches, but O’Rourke’s ability to ‘duck and dive’ left the crowd unsure of the outcome. McCartan, however, had just done enough to ensure his hand was raised. There were also three bouts on the night featuring local boxers. Shane Carroll overcame Cathal Fegan, Rory ‘Beaver’ McKeever put in a strong showing against Ultan McDonald while the meeting of best friends Cathal O’Neill and Ferghal Murphy ended in a draw. Aidan O’Rourke, one of the chief organisers of the event, thanked all that helped on the night. “You just have to look at the crowd that showed up, it’s fantastic and we have to thank everyone for their support,” he said. “The Carrickdale Hotel were excellent and we have to than them for their cooperation. We also had so much support from the rest of the sponsors on the night, it was really appreciated. The Sacred Heart club in Newry also provided us with extensive training “I also have to thank the boxers on the night. It wasn’t an exhibition night, it was proper boxing and their black eyes are testament to that. “We had a lot of county men fighting from different counties and I have to praise the county managers involved for letting their players fight and prepare for the event.”
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