IRISH eyes were smiling on Sandygate Boxing Club as they proved to be the perfect hosts for their Irish visitors.

Having made the trip across the Irish Sea last year, Thurles ABC from Trippery made the return journey for a show staged at the New Era in Accrington.

Padiham’s Brandon Hartley opened the show and the Sandygate fighter had a debut to remember.

The 14-year-old Shuttleworth College pupil showed no signs of nerves as the dominated his three round contest with H Khan from Hamer ABC to get the judges decision.

Burnley’s Callum Rainey was also making his debut in a bout that last just over a minute.

The impressive 14-year-old forced D Dyson in to a standing eight count almost immediately before the referee stopped the contest as Rainey rained blows down on his Stockport & Brinnington ABC opponent.

Nathan Kennerley, a year eight pupil at Shuttleworth College, kept up his unbeaten record with an impressive points win over James Lee from Hope Street ABC.

Aidan Whittle, 18, stopped his Irish opponent Darren Heaney in a real brawl – the referee stepping in in the final round.

Barnoldswick’s Jordan Davies made it two wins in a week when the 14-year-old got the judges decision after a classy showing against D Bunner from Hamer ABC. Charlie Martin hopes of a win ended in the first round when the Nelson teenager suffered a nasty cut to the eye against C Keeler from Beartown ABC Clitheroe’s Alfie Wardle, 15, narrowly lost to A Jamanzab Round 1 ABC and Great Harwood’s Harry Magee, 16, lost by the smallest of margins to Prince Swaile of Thurles.

But Clitheroe’s Tom McBride, 17, had the biggest smile of the night after an excellent display to beat Thurles Andrew Donnellan.