The weight limit was set at -64kg and both fighters tipped the scales at 63.1kg and when the bell went it was set to be a scorcher with Daly on the offensive straight away and Mc Namara in full defensive mode. The first round was a feeling out process on both sides but not at the usual pace of such a high profile fight as the two men increased the pressure from the early stages trying to find a chink in each others armour and as the rounds went on the pace quickened even more much to the delight of the fans.

By the fourth round Daly was really coming into his own and landing some telling shots on the game Limerick man and forcing him on the back foot to land his trade mark jump spinning back kick which caught Mc Namara flush in the midsection and took some wind out of his sails.

Mc Namara however was'nt champion of Ireland for well over a year for nothing and was right back in the fight in the fifth and final round but Daly piled on the pressure right to the final bell throwing kicks and combination punches from all angles and come decision time the three neutral Judges from Dublin, Tipperary and Waterford gave a two to one split decision and Eric Daly from Gort who trains out of Pete Foleys Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing Gym was announced as the new All Ireland Light Welterweight Kickboxing Champion.

Daly, who had his coach Pete Foley in his corner assisted by World Welterweight Champ Owen Flatley and European Supermiddleweight Champ Cathal Manning was elated and sportingly shook the hand of the outgoing Champ Dominic Mc Namara before being surrounded by an army of fight fans.

A delighted Coach Pete Foley reckons that Daly is the real deal and has everything on his side including heart, youth, natural fitness and the technichal skills to go all the way to the top - so watch out world!

Eric will be in action again on May 24th in the Black Box Theatre in Galway on the undercard to Cathal Mannings European Supermiddleweight Title fight against Damascus from Russia and Nicola Collins European Featherweight Title against the Champion of Norway so make sure and get your tickets early as they will go fast.

Barry Haddock from the Galway Black Dragon Gym was also in action on Saturday night in Ennis and in his debut fight, he knocked out Martin Mc Donald from kilkenny in the very first round with a body kick from which he failed to recover and was counted out.

Pete Foley wishes to congratulate Promoter Tony O' Donnell from Ennis for putting on such a great show and looks forward to working with him at future promotions in the West County.