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‘I’m coming for them’ – Cronin issues warning after impressive TKO win

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5 years ago

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Kevin Cronin, aka the Kingdom Warrior.

Kerry light heavyweight boxer Kevin Cronin has set his sights on national glory after his fourth round TKO victory over Boris Mrkonjic in Luxembourg.

The Milltown native was hoping to get six rounds under his belt against the Bosnian on Saturday but his opponent could only manage three before crying off with an apparent shoulder injury before the start of the fourth.

It was another comprehensive win for the Kingdom Warrior and speaking to the Killarney Advertiser this week, he said he was happy with his display.

“I thought I performed very, very well. Firstly, judging myself, I know I can perform a lot better, but I also proved to a lot of people the level that I am at. The reaction that I’m getting to the fight and how I boxed is unbelievable. Irish-Boxing.com have mentioned that I’m ready for the step-up to big fights at 3-0, so obviously I’ve done something right. But I have a lot more gears to go through.”

Mrkonjic came out swinging, which came as a surprise to Cronin, but the Kerryman showed good composure to take control of the bout.

“I expected him to start off a bit cooler and then get behind his boxing and try to take me out. But he really came out of the traps – he was looking to knock me out from the get-go. I knew he was going to be a big fella but I did expect him to be that solid. He was a huge light heavyweight.

“The gameplan worked out perfectly. I stayed out of the danger zone and I showed that I’m not just a puncher, I’m a boxer. He was coming to take my head off and I kept him at range. I stood out when I needed to stand out. The main part of the gameplan was to keep a busy jab, and I did that, and to keep picking them jabs to the body, and I did that as well. It started taking a toll on him and it was setting up the bigger shots at the end of the second round. In the third round then when I started applying the pressure, the tank was starting to run empty just from them little jabs to the mid-section.

“I didn’t expect to take him out ‘til later to be honest. I was hoping for the full six rounds and I thought he’d bring me there because he’s a tough fella. I thought he would drag me to the fifth or sixth round before I’d find an opening. But the gameplan went so well, I got the opening a bit earlier and got him down in the third.

“He was complaining about a shoulder injury but, to be honest with you, watching back the footage, there was nowhere where he actually got injured. I think he was just looking for a way out at that stage.”

Cronin’s is expecting another foreign fight in June, but he remains optimistic of a home event, possibly in Killarney, in the medium term.

“The fight I want is not a certain person,” he said. “I want to fight for the main titles in Ireland, which are the Celtic and Irish titles. I want to do the traditional route, and I want to go on to the European after that. So, whoever is holding those titles, I’m coming for them.

“And if Taylor McGoldrick wants it in the meantime, he can have it.”

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Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic

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2 weeks ago

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7 November 2025

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Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1)

Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell

Saturday 7.30pm

Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

The St Paul’s women’s team will be hoping to get their National Cup adventure off the ground on Saturday when they welcome 2024 champions Brunell to Killarney. Tip-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre is at 7.30pm.

Paul’s have displayed some fine early season form, although their unbeaten start in the Super League came to an abrupt end last weekend when they lost to the Trinity Meteors in Dublin. James Fleming’s side weren’t at their best on the day but they were well in contention heading into the final quarter with the scores at 47-45 in favour of the hosts. The Meteors pushed on in the fourth, however, eventually running out 63-53 winners.

St Paul’s scorers on the night were Maisie Burnham (13), Tara Cousins (12), Lorraine Scanlon (12), Lovisa Hevinder (9), Denise Dunlea (5) and Leah McMahon (2).

The Killarney club are now joint second in the table alongside the Meteors with both teams holding a 4-1 record. Killester are top having won each of their first five games.

Paul’s opponents on Saturday, Brunell, have won three out of five league matches so far.

LAKERS

The Utility Trust St Paul’s Lakers have now won three of their last four games in Division 1 of the Men’s National League following an impressive home victory over Moycullen in Killarney.

Eoin Carroll and Jack O’Sullivan made significant contributions of the Boys in Black; Carroll hit 17 points and collected 13 rebounds while O’Sullivan had 14 points, 12 rebounds and some spectacular blocks.

Steve Kelly posted 30 points and the durable Sam Grant played every second, adding 21 points along the way.

The Lakers started well before the visitors found their footing and the sides went in level at the half-time break after scores by home captain Carroll. There was still nothing to separate the teams entering the fourth quarter (68-65) but buckets by Carroll, Pablo Murcia and Grant opened up a nine-point lead. Moycullen fought back admirably, however, cutting the deficit to just four, but Luke O’Hea’s charges held firm to prevail by eight (88-80).

Next up is a cup tie against the Tipperary Talons, a side they defeated by 30 points just a couple of weeks ago. The cup can be very different to the league, though, and they will need another solid performance to advance to the next round. Tip-off in in Killenaule is at 6.30pm on Saturday.

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Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan

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2 weeks ago

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7 November 2025

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After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork and Kerry separate in the 2026 Munster Football Championship.

The new seeding system – which gives the two highest ranked Munster teams in the National League byes to separate semi-finals – will now come into play in 2027, twelve months later than initially planned.

This will give Clare and Limerick a chance to earn promotion to Division 2 of the league, potentially overtaking Cork if the Rebels were to get relegated to Division 3.

Despite traditionally being the two main contenders for Munster football honours, Kerry and Cork haven’t met in a provincial decider since 2021. The Kingdom have won each of the finals since then (one versus Limerick and three versus Clare) by an average margin of 15.75 points.

More high-profile Kerry v Cork finals might be desirable for fans of those teams, businesses in Killarney and Cork, and neutrals alike but Munster GAA’s plans to effectively keep the great rivals on opposite sides of the draw understandably drew criticism from the other participating counties. A statement by the GPA confirmed that players from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipp had met via Zoom to discuss the matter. They were said to be “deeply disappointed and concerned” by the decision.

The 12-month delay will at least give two of those disaffected teams an opportunity to benefit from the new seeding process.

The draw for the 2026 Munster Football Championship will take place on November 27 under the old rules. As 2025 finalists, Kerry and Clare will get byes to the last four (but they will not necessarily be kept apart).

Nine members of Kerry’s squad are up for All-Stars at tonight’s awards ceremony in Dublin with Joe O’Connor and David Clifford also in contention for the prestigious Footballer of the Year award.

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