Johnson is crowned Ireland’s Number One

There was national glory for Jack Johnson as the Marble City boxer claimed the under-18 60kgs title and cemented his status as Ireland’s number one.

Johnson, who heads into the Irish High Performance Unit in Dublin, was on top form at the National Arena as he claimed his second Irish title in two years.

His division, which started with 20 entries, was the most hotly contested in the competition. The young Kilkennyman battled his way through five hard fights, beating multiple former and current national champions en route to his biggest win to date, beating Jack McNamee (Olympic) to become a two-time All-Ireland champion in the process.

The significance of this win is huge, however, as it acted as a qualifier for the European Youth Championships. Due to be held in Croatia in April, Johnson will look to represent Team Ireland for the first time.

“As a club we have had our fair share of lows in the National Stadium over the years losing very close contests,” said head coach Garry Kehoe. “Boxing can be a brutal sport; you’re never guaranteed anything no matter how hard you work.

“In boxing the narrowest of margins can be the difference between jubilation and devastation. That is where I think Jack deserves massive credit. He’s suffered defeats over the years, losing semi-finals and finals, but has shown his resilience by coming back time and time again, trying to be that 1% better each time.

“Last year he won his first national title as a 16 year old in his final year of juvenile boxing which would be uncommon,” Kehoe added. “Now he has followed that up less than eight months later with his second All-Ireland title.”

Marble City have come to the fore of Irish boxing over the past few years, winning 10 national titles in the past three years.

Tommy Fitzpatrick and Cian Stapleton have represented Ireland while head coach Garry Kehoe coached Team Ireland at European Schoolboy/Schoolgirl championships in Maribor and at the World Junior Championships in Yerevan - now Jack Johnson will add his name to the list.

The future is looking extremely bright for the club, which has developed its talent in their underage and juvenile ranks. Results like those from the weekend will spur them on for the coming months and years.