Boxing: FAGAN THROWS DOWN GAUNTLET; SPARKLING BERNARD MAKES OPPONENT EAT HIS WORDS.

Byline: By MICHAEL SCULLY

DUBLINER Oisin Fagan has thrown down the gauntlet to Peter McDonagh after claiming the vacant Irish light-welterweight title on Saturday night in Dublin.

Oklahoma-based Fagan stopped Blackpool's Jeff Thomas after two minutes and 27 seconds of the seventh round of their bout to claim the belt.

But Fagan, who is now an elementary schoolteacher after remaining in the States despite a knee injury ruining a soccer scholarship there, was initially down to fight McDonagh - who withdrew through injury.

Fagan believes that McDonagh only pulled out after watching footage of him in action and he said: "I would like to fight Peter McDonagh now.

"He was the one I was training for all along. If that can be made to happen, I will be a happy man."

It was a great night for Irish boxers at the Stadium, with all seven home competitors winning.

James Moore, who was also back from the States, and Cavan's Andrew Murray secured easy wins - Moore over Salaheddine Sarhani and Murray over Tony Jourda.

Southpaw Paul Griffin did all the boxing against Wladimir Borov and won on points after six rounds.

Andrew Wallace overcame Dariusz Snarski.

CAPTION(S):

CHALLENGE: Oisin Fagan