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Liffey Crane Hire National Elite Championships Results

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 0:00:00 CST

Liffey Crane Hire National Elite Championships National Stadium Dublin

November 22

Finals (5.45pm)

60kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan) W/O
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea) W/O
81+kg Naoise Finney (Ballybrack) W/O
49kg Sean Mari (Monkstown D) beat Ricky Nesbitt (Holy Family Drogheda) 3-2
64kg Evelyn Igharo (Clann Naofa) beat Ciara Ginty (Geesala) 3-2
81kg Nell Fox (Rathkeale) beat Leona Houlihan (Crumlin) 5-0
60kg Brandon McCarthy (St Michaels Athy) beat Barry McReynolds (Holy Trinity) 5-0
48kg Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry) beat Shannon Sweeney (St Annes) 5-0
75kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat John Joe Nevin (Crumlin) 4-1
81kg Emmett Brennan (Docklands) beat Thomas O’Toole (Celtic Eagles) 3-2
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown A) beat Emma Agnew (Dealgan) RSC2
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan) beat Niamh Early (Ryston) 5-0
52kg Jude Gallagher (Two Castles) beat Regan Buckley (St Teresa’s) 5-0
57kg Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott) beat Patryk Adamus (Drimnagh) 4-1
69kg Aidan Walsh (Monkstown Antrim) beat Callum Walsh (Riverstown) 5-0
69kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgans) beat Grainne Walsh (Spartacus) 4-1
63kg George Bates (St Mary’s Dublin) beat Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise) 4-1
91+kg Kenneth Okungbowa (Athlone) beat Antoine O’Griofa (Celtic Eagles/Defence Forces) 4-1
54kg Sarah Haghighat (St Brigids, Edenderry) beat Zara Breslin (Tramore) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield) beat Daniel O’Brien (Defence Forces) 5-0

Liffey Crane Hire National Elite Championships

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 0:00:00 CST

TG4 to broadcast the IABA Men’s and Women’s Irish National Senior Elite Boxing Finals tomorrow - Friday 22 November

All 17 Fights will be broadcast Live on YouTube Spórt TG4, while TG4 will have live coverage from 7:30pm to 11:00pm

TG4 will provide extensive live coverage of this year’s IABA Men’s and Women’s Irish National Senior Elite Boxing Finals from the National Stadium in Dublin tomorrow, Friday evening 22nd November.

All seventeen fights will be broadcast live on TG4’s YouTube site to viewers both here in Ireland and all over the world. Coverage of the Finals will also be available on TG4’s main linear channel from 7:30pm onwards.
The live coverage of the IABA Irish National Senior Elite Boxing Finals will be presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill with commentary and analysis by Kellie Harrington, Jason Quigley, Kenneth Egan, Darren O’Neill and Seán Bán Breathnach. TG4’s live YouTube commentary will be provided by Cárthach Bán Breathnach.

Full schedule of bouts - IABA National Men’s and Women’s Elite Championship Finals
Live from the National Stadium in Dublin

6:00pm Ring Parade & Anthem on YouTube

6:25pm Male 49kg Final Ricky Nesbitt (Holy Family Drogheda) v Sean Mari (Monkstown D)

6:40pm Female 64kg Final Evelyn Igharo (Clann Naofa) v Ciara Ginty (Geesala)

6:55pm Female 81kg Final Nell Fox (Rathkeale) v Leona Houlihan (Crumlin)

7:10pm Male 60kg Final Barry McReynolds (Holy Trinity) v Brandon McCarthy (St Michaels Athy)

7:30pm Live coverage begins on TG4

7:35pm Female 48kg Final Shannon Sweeney (St Annes) v Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry)
7:54pm Male 75kg Final Jason Harty (Rathkeale) v John Joe Nevin (Crumlin)

8:13pm Male 81kg Final Thomas O’Toole (Celtic Eagles) v Emmett Brennan (Docklands)

8:32pm Female 57kg Final Michaela Walsh (Monkstown A) v Emma Agnew (Dealgan)

8:51pm Female 51kg Final Niamh Early (Ryston) v Ceire Smith (Cavan)

9:10pm Male 52kg Final Jude Gallagher (Two Castles) v Regan Buckley (St Teresa’s)

9:29pm     Male 57kg Final       Patryk Adamus (Drimnagh) v Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott)
9:48pm     Male 69kg Final       Aidan Walsh (Monkstown Antrim) v Callum Walsh (Riverstown)
10:07pm   Female 69kg Final   Christina Desmond (Fr Horgans) v Grainne Walsh (Spartacus)

10:26pm Male 63kg Final Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise) v George Bates (St Mary’s Dublin)

10:45pm   Male 91+kg Final     Antoine Ó Griofa (Celtic Eagles/Defence Forces) v Kenneth Okungbowa (Athlone)
11:05pm   Female 54kg Final   Zara Breslin (Tramore) v Sarah Haghighat (St Brigids, Edenderry)
11:20pm   Male 91kg Final      Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield) v Daniel O’Brien (Santry/Defence Forces)

The IABA is running the Elite Championships for a second time this year ahead of the European qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 at the Copper Box Arena in London next March. There will be one final World qualifier for the 32nd Olympiad in Paris next May. The National Elite Championships are proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane Hire.

TG4’s Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “TG4 are looking forward to broadcasting the IABA National Senior Elite Finals from the National Stadium. It is important to give the free-to-air television audience an opportunity to see some of the best boxers from all over Ireland. It is a privilege to be working closely with the IABA to provide live coverage of this event which has such national sporting importance.”

Friday 22nd November
* 5:55pm Live on YouTube Spórt TG4 - all 17 fights will be broadcast live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube site - www.youtube.com/sporttg4
* 7:30pm-11:05pm Live on TG4

National Senior Championships Men & Women

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 0:00:00 CST

National Men’s and Women’s Senior Championships National Stadium Dublin

November 8

Finals (6.30pm)

48kg Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry) beat Emma Feeney (Virginia) 5-0
49kg Ricky Nesbitt (Holy Family D) beat Sean Mari (Monkstown D) 4-1
51kg Kirsten Cresham (Castlebar) beat Kate Radomska (St Pauls W) 3-2
52kg Sean Kavanagh (Monkstown D) beat Nathan Horrigan (Hyland Academy) 5-0
54kg Zara Breslin (Tramore) beat Siobhan McKenna (Holy Family GG) 5-0
57kg Kellie McLoughlan (Drimnagh) beat Kelsey Leonard (Curragh) 4-1
56kg Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott) beat Jamie Griffin (Riverstown) 5-0
60kg Renee Roach (DCU) beat Isabella Hughes (Maynooth) 4-1
60kg Brandon McCarthy (St Michaels) beat Teo Alin (Cookstown) 5-0
64kg Evelyn Igharo (Clann Naofa) beat Jaide Gibbons (Crumlin) RSC1
64kg Cameron Bennett (Swords) bet Caoimhin Ferguson (Emerald) 3-2
69kg Rosie Doherty (St Francis) beat Caroline Gallagher (Illies GG) 5-0
69kg Matthew McCole (Illies GG) beat Martin Sammon (Olympic G) 5-0
75kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat Daniel O’Sullivan (Lucan) 5-0
81kg Sean Crowley (Arklow) beat Thomas Myers (Sligo City) 5-0
81+kg Naoise Finney (Ballybrack) W/O
91kg Martin Mongans (Rathkeale) beat Thomas Maughan (Cavan) 5-0
91+kg Martin Mongan (Corpus Christi) beat Ciaran O Griofa (Celtic Eagles) 4-1

Best Boxer Award: Matthew McCole (Illies GG)

November 1

S/Finals

48kg Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry) beat Ciara Walsh (Smithfield) 5-0

52kg Nathan Horrigan (Hyland Academy) beat Jason Smith (Fr Flanagans) 5-0
52kg Sean Kavanagh (Monkstown D) beat John Cowman (St Paul’s W) 5-0
57kg Kelsey Leonard (Curragh) W/O
57kg Kellie McLoughlan (Drimnagh) W/O
56kg Jamie Griffin (Riverstown) W/O
60kg Renee Roach (DCU) W/O
60kg Brandon McCarthy (St Michaels) beat Killian Geraghty (Crumlin) 4-1
60kg Teo Alin (Cookstown) beat Jack McGivern (St Georges) 4-1
64kg Cameron Bennett (Swords) beat Michael O’Donnell (Celtic Eagles) 5-0
64kg Caoimhin Ferguson (Emerald) beat Evan Fitzgerald (Esker) 5-0
69kg Caroline Gallagher (Illies GG) beat Karolina Jaglowska (Celtic Eagles) 5-0
69kg Martin Sammon (Olympic G) beat Matthew McDonagh (Geesala) 5-0
69kg Matthew McCole (Illies GG) beat Sean Butler (Riverstown) 5-0
75kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat Shane O’Brien (St Francis) 5-0
75kg Daniel O’Sullivan (Lucan) beat Oran Shields (Illies GG) 4-1
81kg Thomas Myers (Sligo City) beat Folan Rahill (DCU) 4-1
81kg Sean Crowley (Arklow) beat Daniel Houlihan (Kilcullen) 5-0
91kg Martin Mongans (Rathkeale) beat Michel Rudolf (Crumlin) AB1
91kg Thomas Maughan (Cavan) beat Marcin Skalski (Athlone) 4-1
91+kg Martin Mongan (Corpus Christi) beat Patrick Lavery (Tredagh) 5-0
91+kg Ciaran O Griofa (Celtic Eagles) beat Patrick Rogers (St Johns Derry) 3-2

October 25

Q/Finals

64kg Michael O’Donnell (Celtic Eagles) W/O
64kg Cameron Bennett (Swords) beat Derek Murray (Muskerry) 3-2
64kg Caoimhin Ferguson (Emerald) W/O
64kg Evan Fitzgerald (Esker) beat Gavin Bradshaw (Drimnagh) 3-2
69kg Martin Sammon (Olympic G) beat Senan Dwyer (Crumlin) 4-1

69kg Matthew McDonagh (Geesala) W/O
69kg Matthew McCole (Illies GG) beat Conor Reneghan (Keady) 5-0
69kg Sean Butler (Riverstown) beat Antoine Manin (Celtic Eagles) 5-0
75kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) W/O
75kg Shane O’Brien (St Francis) W/O
75kg Daniel O’Sullivan (Lucan) beat Martin Sweeney (St Catherines) 4-1
75kg Oran Shields (Illies GG) beat Rokas Balrukoni (Clane) 3-2
81kg Thomas Myers (Sligo City) beat Adam Mooney (St Marys Daingean) 5-0
81kg Sean Crowley (Arklow) beat Philip Hickey (Paulstown) 5-0
81kg Daniel Houlihan (Kilcullen) beat Conor Tighe (Ballinacarrow) 5-0
91kg Martin Mongans (Rathkeale) beat Brian Mullen (St Annes) 4-1
91kg Michel Rudolf (Crumlin) W/O
91kg Marcin Skalski (Athlone) W/O
91kg Thomas Maughan (Cavan) beat Shane Cunningham (Fr Horgans) 4-1

October 19

Preliminaries

64kg Cameron Bennett (Swords) beat Aaron O’Donohue (Fr Horgans) 5-0
64kg Derek Murray (Muskerry) beat Jordan Morrissey (Athlone) 5-0
64kg Caoimhin Ferguson (Emerald) beat Craig Kavanagh (Crumlin) 4-1
64kg Callum Walsh (Riverstown) beat Ryan McCarthy (Togher) 5-0
64kg Evan Fitzgerald (Esker) W/O
64kg Gavin Bradshaw (Drimnagh) beat Daniel McCarthy (Crumlin) 4-1
69kg Matthew McCole (Illies GG) beat Christian Preston (Docklands) 5-0
69kg Conor Reneghan (Keady) beat Brandon Mulligan (Clann Naofa) 5-0
69kg Sean Butler (Riverstown) beat Jack Prenderville (St Saviours OBA) RSC3
69kg Antoine Manin (Celtic Eagles) beat Darren Shannen (Muskerry) 5-0
75kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat Michael Kinsella (St Anthonys) 4-1
75kg John Joe Nevin (Crumlin) beat Jack Brady (Crumlin) 5-0
75kg Shane O’Brien (St Francis) beat Jack Lawlor (Templemore) 3-2
75kg Daniel O’Sullivan (Lucan) beat Shane Dooley (St Ibars/Josephs) 3-2

75kg Martin Sweeney (St Catherines) beat Owen Bergin (Portlaoise) 4-1
75kg Oran Shields (Illies GG) beat Adam Farrell (Fr Flanagans) 3-2
75kg Rokas Balrukoni (Clane) W/O
81kg Faolan Rahill (DCU) beat Jordan Donoghue (Drimnagh) 5-0
91kg Marcin Skalski (Athlone) beat Michael McConigley (Illies GG) 4-1
91kg Shane Cunningham (Fr Horgans) W/O
91kg Thomas Maughan (Cavan) beat Eamon Tighe (Ballinacarrow) 5-0

Q/Finals

52kg Sean Kavanagh (Monkstown D) W/O
52kg John Cowman (St Paul’s W) beat Ben Nelson (Townland) 5-0
57kg Jennifer Lehan (DCU) W/O
57kg Kellie McLoughlin (Drimnagh) beat Catherine Blaney (Navan) 5-0
60kg Brandon McCarthy (St Michaels Athy) beat John Paul Hale (Star) 5-0
60kg Teo Alin (Cookstown) beat Martin Noonan (Riverstown) 5-0
60kg Jack McGivern (St Georges) beat Andrei Alexander (Crumlin) 5-0

A Monk's Story

Sat, 13 Jul 2019 0:00:00 CDT

A man who was driving down the road and his car breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, "My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?"The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. A sound unlike anything he's ever heard before. The Sirens that nearly seduced Odysseus into crashing his ship comes to his mind. He doesn't sleep that night. He tosses and turns trying to figure out what could possibly be making such a seductive sound.

The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk." Distraught, the man is forced to leave.Years later, after never being able to forget that sound, the man goes back to the monastery and pleads for the answer again.The monks reply, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk."The man says, "If the only way I can find out what is making that beautiful sound is to become a monk, then please, make me a monk."The monks reply, "You must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of grains of sand. When you find these answers, you will have become a monk."The man sets about his task.

After years of searching he returns as a grey-haired old man and knocks on the door of the monastery. A monk answers. He is taken before a gathering of all the monks."In my quest to find what makes that beautiful sound, I traveled the earth and have found what you asked for: By design, the world is in a state of perpetual change. Only God knows what you ask. All a man can know is himself, and only then if he is honest and reflective and willing to strip away self deception."The monks reply, "Congratulations. You have become a monk. We shall now show you the way to the mystery of the sacred sound."The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, "The sound is beyond that door."The monks give him the key, and he opens the door. Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. The man is given the key to the stone door and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby. And so it went that he needed keys to doors of emerald, pearl and diamond.Finally, they come to a door made of solid gold. The sound has become very clear and definite. The monks say, "This is the last key to the last door."The man is apprehensive to no end. His life's wish is behind that door!With trembling hands, he unlocks the door, turns the knob, and slowly pushes the door open. Falling to his knees, he is utterly amazed to discover the source of that haunting and seductive sound......But, of course, I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk

Kickboxing Ireland National Championships

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 0:00:00 CDT

Tallaght Martial Arts students put in an epic performance at the Kickboxing Ireland National Championships in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan over the weekend event. The Tallaght club won 33 Gold medals, 12 Silver medals and 6 Bronze medals at the All Ireland championships. The championship had younger cadets, older cadets, junior and senior fighters competing for place on the Kickboxing Ireland National team that will fight in the European WAKO championship in Hungary this August. This year WAKO add in younger sections for 7-9 years of age in points fighting. First and second places fighters will be able to qualify for the junior Irish team. The seniors World WAKO championship will be held in Turkey in November. On Saturday there was light contact, kick light, full contact, K1, and forms, Kata and Points fighting on Sunday. Jodie Browne fighting in the junior women -65kg got 3^rd in light contact and 1^st in points fighting. Cialam Dowdall fighting in three different styles points fighting, Light contact and kick light in the older cadets boys -63kg sections won three hard earned gold medals. Likewise Nathan Kelly fighting in 47kg older cadets won his points fighting Light contact and kick light to secure three Golds over the weekend. Jodie Brown won Gold in the junior -65kg points fighting and 3^rd in light contact. Her teammate Eadaoin McCrave fighting in -65kg junior sections got 1^st in light contact and 2^nd in kick light and points fighting. The Jones family were out in force at the championships with Zara winning Gold in the points fighting and light contact -50kg older cadets. Cian Jones fighting in the 7-9 years -24kg points fighting section got 3^rd. While dad Stephen got 1^st in the -94kg senior points fighting which will be held over two rounds the next senior national championship is on in Tallaght on the 12^th of May. Max Lennon got 1^st in the older cadet’s forms and 2^nd in weapons before going on to win Gold in the older cadet’s points fighting -42kg .Josh Lennon got 3^rd in younger cadets forms. Troy Gannon fighting in -63kg kick light and light contact got gold in both and 2^nd place in points fighting. Aoife bailey fighting in -50kg points fighting reached the top spot on the podium. Naoise Colvin fighting in the older cadet -46kg points fighting section took 1^st place. Dylan Mc Cleland won the -52kg older cadet points fighting section in convincing style. Sam O’Toole fighting in the -30kg 7-9 years points fighting section took gold. Kate-Anne Butler Quinn got first place in the older cadet -60kg points fighting section. Cillian McArdle got 1^st in the younger cadets -28kg points fighting section. Emmet Bailey got first place in the 7-9 years +36 kg points fighting section. Ellen Mc McCaughey fighting in the –55kg older cadet’s points fighting sections took the number 1 spot on the podium. Sarah Cassidy won gold in the older cadet -32kg points fighting and silver in musical forms. Shauna Fitzpatrick won gold in the older cadets -42kg points fighting section. Anna White got gold in the -37kg younger cadet points fighting section. Leo Golding got 3^rd place in the -42kg younger cadet’s points fighting section. Nathan Clarke got second in the -32kg points fighting section and Rhys O’Connor getting 3^rd. Rebecca Kelch won 2^{nd place} in the senior females -55kg points fighting section. Leá Farrell got 1^st place in the -50kg senior female points fighting section. Nicole Bannon fighting in the senior female -60kg points fighting section got top spot on the podium. Keri Browne won the -65kg senior points fighting section. Gar Ryan fighting in the -74kg senior male points fighting section won the section. Conor Mc Glinchey got 1^st place in the senior men -84kg points fighting section. David Harris got 3^rd in the -79kg senior men points fighting section.

Martin Bannon & Dave Heffernan are the Coaches for TMA for more details about joining up including class times; link https://www.fighter.ie/Kickboxing/tallaghtmartialarts.html

Clash of the Titans

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 0:00:00 CDT

TG4 to broadcast live Professional Boxing from the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening (30th March)

‘Clash of the Titans’ to feature on live Free-to-Air Television

TG4 in assocation with Assassin Boxing and Boxing Ireland Promotions have confirmed that all eleven fights from the ‘Clash of the Titans’professional boxing event will be broadcast live on Saturday from the National Stadium in Dublin (30^th March).

TG4’s extensive live coverage will begin on YouTube at 5:30pm when the first of the eleven fights begin (available on TG4’s YouTube site to viewers in Ireland). Coverage of the fights later in the evening will also be available on TG4’s main linear channel from 8:30pm onwards.

The live show will feature Eric Donovan v Stephen McAfee for the vacant Irish featherweight title. Donovan, who is the former BUI Celtic Champion at featherweight will face off with the current Celtic super-featherweight champion for the Irish title. Other fighters on the night include Katelyn Phelan v Monika Antonik, Victor Rabei v Jake Hanney, Dylan Moran v Gyrorgy Mizei and Allan Phelan v Aiden Metcalfe. Katelynn Phelan, who is a former World Youth and European Junior bronze medalist, will fight Monika Antonik. Eighteen year old Katelynn is the younger sister of pro boxer Allan Phelan who faces Aidan Metcalfe for the BUI Celtic featherweight title on the same bill. Polish fighterMonika Antonik is a former Olympian and Natasha Jonas made her professional debut against her in August 2017.

The live coverage of the ‘Clash of the Titans’ will be presented by Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh with commentary and analysis by Gary Spike O Sullivan, Jason Quigley, Andy Lee and Seán Bán Breathnach. TG4’s live YouTube commentary will be provided by Cárthach Bán Breathnach. The live coverage will be produced by Limerick based company Vitel TV.

TG4’s Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “TG4 are very pleased to be broadcasting another night of boxing from the National Stadium. Following on from a night of high drama in Castlebar in last December we feel it’s important that boxers should have a national platform to showcase their talents. We’re delighted to be able to bring this to a national free to air audience.” Assassin Promotions’ Conor Slater said “'It is fantastic to see professional boxing return to Irish screens. I believe there is a huge appetite for the sport in Ireland, and the exposure boxing has gotten over the past year is testament to the work TG4 have done. It feels like something really special is building, and to have a network partner that believes in Irish sport, is fantastic. I think on March 30th, the Irish public will get another taste of just how brilliant Irish professional boxing is at the moment.”

TG4 Coverage - Saturday 30 March

Live on YouTube from 5:30pm onwards - all eleven fights will be broadcast live on the TG4 YouTube page: www.youtube.com/tg4

Live coverage on TG4’s main channel from 8:30pm to 11pm.

5:30pm Siobhán O’Leary v Bojana Libizewska 4 rounds x 2mins YouTube

5:50pm Sam Carroll v Kamil Jaworek 4x3 mins YouTube

6:10pm Owen Duffy v Gergo Vari 4 x 3 mins YouTube

6:30pm Carl McDonald v David Botos 4 x 3 mins YouTube

6:50pm Dylan Moran v Gyorgy Mizsei 8 x 3 mins YouTube

7:30pm Graham McCormack v Jade Karam 6 x 3 mins YouTube

8:00pm Francy Luzoho v Martin Quinn 6 x 3 mins YouTube

8:35pm Allan Phelan v Aiden Metcalfe 8 x 3 mins The BUI Celtic Super Featherweight Title TG4 & YouTube

9:15pm Katelyn Phelan v Monika Antonik 4 x 2 mins TG4 & YouTube

9:30pm Victor Rabei v Jake Hanney 8 x 3 mins, The BUI Celtic Super Lightweight Title TG4 & YouTube

10:10pm Eric Donovan v Stephen McAfee 10 x 3 mins, The Irish Featherweight Title TG4 & YouTube

Team Ireland arrived in Germany

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 0:00:00 CDT

Team Ireland arrived in Germany last night for a training camp ahead of next month’s Chemistry Cup in Cologne.

The 13-strong squad will train at the German Olympic and Paralympic Centre in Kienbaum from March 27 to April 8 before the start of the Cup on April 9.

So far, the host nation, Ireland, Russia and a number of other countries have booked into the training camp.

Caribbean powerhouses Cuba are expected to participate in the tournament.

Three-time European Elite champion Ward will be aiming for a third Chemistry Cup gold in Cologne as he beat Russia’s Olympic light heavy champion Egor Mekhonstev in the 2012 final and Kazakhstan’s Adilbek Niyazimbetov in the 2014 decider.

His fellow Rio 2016 Olympian David Oliver Joyce also won gold at this level in 2014. Cork’s Michael Roche (Sunnyside BC) qualified for Sydney 2000 at the 2000 Chemistry Cup which was acting as a European Olympic qualifier at the turn of the century.

Roche had to settle for silver in the final 19 years ago after a back injury forced him to retire at the end of the first round.

The Leeside light middle was Ireland’s only boxer at the Sydney Games.

(Image: Team Ireland at Dublin Airport yesterday)

Chemistry Cup Cologne, Germany April 9/14

Irish squad

51kg Carly McNaul (Holy Family)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)

69kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Spartacus)

52kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s)
57kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
63kg James McGivern (St Georges)
63kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)
75kg Emmet Brennan (Glasnevin)
81kg Joe Ward (Spartacus)
91kg Tony Browne (St Michael’s)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Team Manager: Bernard Dunne
Coaches: Zuar Antia, John Conlan, Damian Kennedy
Physiotherapist: Muireann Harte
Physiologist: Damian Martin

World Championships

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 0:00:00 CDT

Team Ireland are putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the World Women’s Elite Championships in India in Germany.

The six-strong team are training with the host nation, Greece, Great Britain, Sweden and USA at the German Olympic and Paralympic Sport Centre in Kienbaum, about 35km east of Berlin.

The panel are into their third day at the camp ahead of the start of the World Championships which begin in New Delhi on November 15.

Seeding will be in operation at the 10th edition of the tournament.

Schedule of the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi

November 13-14 – Sport Entries Check
November 14 – Technical Meeting
November 14 – Official Draw
November 15 – Opening Ceremony
November 15 – Preliminaries
November 16 – Preliminaries
November 17 – Preliminaries
November 18 – Preliminaries
November 19 – Preliminaries
November 20 – Quarter-finals
November 21 – Rest Day
November 22 – Semi-finals
November 23 – Semi-finals
November 24 – Finals
November 25 – Departure of the delegations

Irish squad

51kg Ceire Smith (Virginia)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s)
64kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan)
69kh Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)

Coaches: Zaur Antia & Dmitry Dimitruk

IABA Boxers On A Roll

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 0:00:00 CDT

Newly crowned European Junior champions Ellie Mai-Gartland and Lauren Dempsey believe that dreams do come true.

The Tipperary and Kildare pair won double gold at the European Junior Championships after beating Romania’s Maria Gheorghe and Russia’s Azalia Amineva in Anapa, Russia yesterday.

Clonmel BC bantam Gartland, whose twin brother Jerome is also an Irish boxing champion, dominated Gheorghe and Ryston BC feather Dempsey silenced the home fans after earning a split verdict win over Amineva.

Patrick Myers, Lisa O’Rourke and Siniann Glynn claimed silver and Irish female captain Leanne Murphy, Jon McConnell, Leah Gallen, Kaitlyn Doyle, Kori Goad, Michael Donohoe, Barry O’Connor and Breda Quilligan won bronze.

The record medal haul and performance of the entire 25-strong squad saw Ireland finish in third spot in the rankings table at the 31-nation competition.

Two-time Irish champion Gartland, who has yet to be beaten internationally after seven bouts, put in the hours in the gym en route to the top of the podium.

She said: “It means everything to me, it’s a dream come true. I have been training so hard the past year for this moment and I couldn’t have done any of it without the help of my brother/coach Jamie Lonergan and my other coach Martin Fennessy.

“I’d like to thank them for putting the effort into me, training me morning noon and night, helping me make the weight and bringing me sparring,” added the new champion who along with Dempsey also thanked the Irish coaches and staff.

When the going go tough in Tuesday’s final with the home favourite, Dempsey started to believe in herself.

She said: “To be honest today was the best day of my life. I worked so hard to get where I am today and I can’t believe it. I have never believed in myself until today.

“I’m so grateful for it and I just can’t believe it, all the hard work that my trainers put into me mentally and physically, I just can’t believe it.

“I had three very hard competitions and today was the hardest as she was home girl, but I just dug deep. I really wanted it, so I went for it.”

Team Ireland are due home at 12.05pm tomorrow (October 18) via Dublin Airport (Terminal 1). All media, family and friends are invited to attend Thursday’s homecoming.

IABA President Dom O’Rourke was at ringside in Anapa and Anna Moore and Joe Hennigan were Irish team managers.

Head coach Billy McClean, Eve Carr, Liam Cunningham, James Doyle, Brian Barry and Martin Donovan worked Ireland’s corner at an intense tournament for Irish boxing.

Aideen Floyd was Irish referee and judge.

(Images courtesy of Anna Moore and IABA staff)

Irish squad

Male

Irish squad

Male

46kg Michael Donohue (St Michaels Athy) (Bronze)
48kg Michael Maughan (Olympic)
50kg Shane O’Brien (Raging Bull)
52kg Jon McConnell (Holy Trinity) (Bronze)
54kg Patrick Sweeney (Olympic)
57kg Barry O’Connor (Sliabh Luachra) (Bronze)
60kg Steven Cairns (Legacy)
63kg Taylor Quiney (Drimnagh)
70kg Eoghan Lavin (Ballyhaunis)
75kg Jason Myers (Olympic)
80kg Patrick Myers (Sligo City) (Silver)
80+kg Bonvie Ndefi (Olympic Mullingar)

Female

46kg Breda Quilligan (Rathkeale) (Bronze)
48kg Chloe Gabriel (Mulhuddart)
50kg Rachel Lawless (Portlaoise)
52kg Niamh Fay (Swords)
54kg Ellie Mai Gartland (Clonmel) (Gold)
57kg Lauren Dempsey (Ryston) (Gold)
60kg Sinainn Glynn (Cloghan) (Silver)
63kg Leanne Murphy (Togher) (Bronze)
66kg Leah Gallen (Raphoe) (Bronze)
70kg Lisa O’Rourke (Castlerea) (Silver)
75kg Kaitlyn Doyle (St Brigids Kildare) (Bronze)

80kg Bethany Doocey (Castlebar)
80+kg Kori Goad (Cahen Vale) (Bronze)

IABA President

Dom O’Rourke

Team Managers

Anna Moore (St Francis)
Joe Hennigan (Connacht Council)

Coaches

Billy McClean (High Performance)
Eve Carr (Enniskerry)
Liam Cunningham (Saints)
James Doyle (Monkstown Dublin)
Brian Barry (Riverstown)
Martin Donovan (Our Lady of Lourdes)

Referee/Judge

Aideen Floyd

Leitrim featherweight Dearbhla Rooney secured her second major medal of the year after finishing in a podium position at the Olympic Youths in Buenos Aires last night.

The Manorhamiliton feather, who claimed European Youth silver in Italy in April, comprehensively beat New Zealand’s Te Shelford-Edmonds on a unanimous decision in the box-off for bronze.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said the 17-year-old, “if you told me this time last year, I’d never have believed I’d be on the Youth Olympic team, let alone be coming away with a bronze medal.”

IRISH SQUAD NAMED FOR ROMANIA ELITE TOURNAMENT

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 0:00:00 CDT

World Elite finalists Joe Ward and Kellie Harrington are included on a 12-strong Irish squad for the Nicolae Linca Golden Belt multi-nations in Romania.

The tournament begins in Galati City on September 25 and runs until September 30.

Team Ireland is building toward November’s European Union Championships in Spain while the AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships take place in New Delhi the same month.

Current national Elite champion Kieran Molloy, pictured above. is delighted to get the opportunity to test himself in Galati.

“Preparations have went brilliantly for the Golden Belt tournament in Romania. It’s a good tough multi-nations with a lot of country’s number 1 teams competing, he said.

Ireland is the No. 1 boxing nation in the EU since the inaugural 2003 tournament in France.

Irish male boxing, with 32 medals, 12 of which are gold, are in No. 1 spot in the all-time medals table. Irish female boxing is in 7th spot in the all-time table with 14 medals, six of which are gold, courtesy of Katie Taylor (5), who has since switched codes, and current champion Michaela Walsh who is on the Irish squad for Romania.

Molloy, who won his first Elite belt earlier this year and also scooped the Best Make Boxer Award at the National Stadium, wants to maintain Ireland’s EU dominance in Spain.

“This (Golden Belt) is a great tournament to lead us into the EU’s in November where myself and the team will be aiming to dominate and stand on the top of the podium,” added the Galway welter.

Meanwhile, Cavan flyweight Ceire Smith and the Irish women’s squad – and three-time European Elite champion Joe Ward – trained at the English Institute of Sport last week with Team GB. Olympic and World pro champion Anthony Joshua, pictured with Kellie Harrington, Michaela Walsh and Grainne Walsh, took part in the training camp.

“Everything went very well in Sheffield and we got a lot of work done. I’m looking forward to Romania as it will give me the opportunity to see where I’m at and test myself,” said Smith.

Nicolae Linca Elite Golden Belt Galati, Romania September 25/30

Irish squad

Male

52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)

56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)

64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)

69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)

75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)

81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus)

91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield)

91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Female

51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan/Virginia)

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monktown)

60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys)

69kg Gráinne Walsh (Sparticus)

Coaches

Zauri Antia

John Conlan

Tom Murray

Team Manager

Eugene O’Kane

Physio

Séamus Caffrey

R&J
Loughlin Gannon