Irish squad in Ukraine
Irish boxing won 22 medals – four of which are gold – in under three months of European Men’s and Women’s Elite, Youth, Junior and Schoolboy competition this summer.
Joe Ward, Brendan Irvine and Kurt Walker got the ball rolling in June after claiming gold and two bronze medals at the European Elites in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Ward securing his third gold at this level.
Ward, Irvine, Walker, Sean McComb and Dean Gardiner also qualified for the World Championships which begin in Hamburg, Germany on August 25th in Kharkiv.
Irish women’s Youth and Junior European team
Daina Moorehouse and Aoibhe Carabine followed that up with gold medals at the European Youth and Junior Championships in early July in Bulgaria, with Caitline Fryers, Lauren Kelly, Ciara Breen and Catherine Blaney also finishing in podium positions.
Ireland’s ten medallist from the 2017 European Schoolboy Championships
The Irish Schoolboy squad improved the medal haul to 19 at the European Schoolboy Championships – and in the process maintained a proud legacy of Irish boxing having medalled at every European Schoolboy Championships since, and including, the inaugural tournament in Rome in 2003.
Michaela Walsh, Kellie Harrington and Grainne Walsh completed a fine summer with gold, silver and bronze in Cascia, Italy, Michaela Walsh becoming the first Irish woman besides Olympic champion Katie Taylor to win gold at the EU Women’s Elite Championships in Italy.
Ireland finish in 4th spot in medals table and 4th place in rankings table
75kg Lauren Kelly (St.Brigid’s, Edenderry) (Bronze)
Junior
75kg Aoibhe Carabine (Geesala) (Gold)
Ireland finish in 3rd spot in medals table and 4th place in rankings table
80kgJordan Ward (Bay City) (Bronze)
Ireland finish in 7th spot in medals table and 4th place in rankings table.
European Union Women’s Elite Championships Cascia, Italy August 4th/13th
54kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown, Antrim) (Gold)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s) (Silver)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus) (Bronze)
Ireland finish in 4th spot in medals table (IABA estimate). Rankings table not published