Siege 4 kicking off the Festive Hill
Dungannon's Mark Kerr in action against Cookstown's Noel Tierney
Two months ago there was a Call to Arms for local fighters to heed the need to stand up and put themselves forward for a fight night, never before seen, or contemplated. Castle Siege 4 is now ready to flourish and explode on the sporting scene in the province.
Dozens of local men and women have all flocked as volunteers to compete in the council backed and funded event. With Dungannon Kickboxing Club, Bovs’ Gym and KCAM kickboxing representing our town and Golden Dragons Ballyronan and Team Hitman, Cookstown lending the district some much appreciated support; as the locals v the rest of the province.
Castle Siege 4 will kick off the week for the Festive Hill series.
Johnny Kerr is keen to continue building his all action fight reputation. Normally big brother Mark would be the first to be named on any Dungannon bill, but a prior booked holiday means fight fans will have to make do with only one Kerr brother this time.
The fighting Frizell family from Moygeshal, Mark, David and Cathy all hope to get on the card. Cathy is aiming to make her fifth fight appearance, again with title hopes in mind. David Frizell has already an eye on a Cookstown-based rival.
Dungannon coach Stuart Kirk hopes to unveil another debutant in a second fighting footballer, Lee Kelso from Bush, who again hopes to continue his fight career, switching from boxing to make his first appearance in kickboxing.
Lee is the son of Granville’s Gary Kelso, who himself fought some nearly two decades ago now – kickboxing is definitely becoming a family affair.
Yet fighters are not restricted to Dungannon Club as KCAM camped in the Bush area have six fighters hoping to appear on this monumental show.
Three ladies from the club are all confident they will have their chance to show off their skills. Clare Campbell from Coalisland is aiming for a N.Ireland title, the popular veteran of the fighting arts keen to conquer her division and take the championship belt.
Dungannon’s Lynsey Jackson is training hard to make the grade to fight. Third of the three amigos is Clonoe’s Clare McCann, hoping to continue her undefeated and training in the USA as part of a holiday.
Alongside KCAM’s ladies, the foreign legion of male fighters coming out of KCAM include Coalisland-based Lithuanian Totas Zdanavicius, Clonoe’s own Romanian Daniel Balan and a Slovakian from the Old Dungannon Road, Vladimir Narsansky. KCAM coach Ashley McClean is hopeful of most if not all of his fighters appearing.
Bov’s coach Jason Bovill has mustered four fighters from his large stable of local lads. Victor Lisevicius, from Dungannon, Karl McGee of Galbally, Jonny McGlone, a Coalisland native and Marius Vizgaila, from Dungannon have all put their names forward to seek a match on the Top of the town show.
Alas, light middleweight champion Shea McGeary will be unable to defend his title due to multiple injuries.
Other local clubs are lending Dungannon natives to help defend the Castle. Joe Hagan’s Cookstown-based Team Hitman is sending a vast team for possible match ups and Kildress native Noel Tierney is assured to be topping the bill.
Noel is preparing for a world title challenge and wishes to use the “Castle Siege IV” as a warm up in his preparations.
Coalisland man, JP Mageary, is very keen to make his full contact debut at the Dungannon spectacle. Young Aaron of O’Neill is another fitting entrant to take his place opening the Hill of The O’Neill.
Hagan is also keen to feature lots of his talented fighters on this eagerly awaited bill, Paul Fowley, Billy Purvis and Stephen Maguire all have had the courage to step up to the mark. Yet the Dojo in Cookstown is also home to Moortown lady Sarah Murray, the fast footed lady who has shared the ring with a number of Dungannon girls.
Optometrist Sarah, is keen to make any future opponent see stars and since she is looking to title glory, it may result in a derby top of the bill clash with one of the KCAM ladies.
Darren Dougan’s Loup-based club, the Golden Dragons is fielding Stephen Graham from Arboe and Seamus Hegarty of Ballyronan, two promising fighters who are sure to show the grit and determination that typifies the rural club.
Dungannon native, Bill McDonagh, from Lisnahull is also near guaranteed to featurew, hile Coalisland engineer Paul Branigan of Armagh Kickboxing academy is a certainty for the programme.
The opposition is being drawn from Belfast, Larne, Derry, Portadown, Lurgan, Carrickfergus and Magherafelt.
Saturday 22nd promises to be a night to remember, the local fighters have stepped up to the mark to represent their town, now they need the people of the town to come along and cheer them on.
Tickets are available from the Festive Hill box office, Scotch Street and pay on the door. Be part of a magical night of sporting valour.
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Weather for Dungannon
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
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Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
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