Joe Ward, Hamburg 2017
The final count for Ireland’s 2017 medal haul in World and European competition – at all levels, male and female – is in.
Irish boxing has secured 29 medals – almost five a month – since Joe Ward topped the light-heavy podium at the European Elite Men’s Championships in the Ukraine on June 24 last.
Five gold, seven silver and 17 bronze were claimed.
Ward, who also claimed World Elite silver this year, and Belfast light-fly, Caitlin Fryers, have contributed two medals apiece to the 2017 collection, Fryers winning European Youth silver and World Youth bronze.
Topping the European Elite 81kg podium for the third time was an incredible achievement for Ward, who won his first Continental title when he was just 17 in 2011.
“It’s special to win one European title but to win three is very special. I have a huge amount to improve on but it shows the level I’m at. It was a good fight, good performances over the last four fights,” said the three-time World Elite medallist ater his final in the Ukraine.
Meantime, Ireland’s gold medal winners in 2017 are: Ward, Michaela Walsh, Diane Moorehouse, Callum Walsh and Aoibhe Carabine, while the Irish Schoolboy squad secured the most medals from a single tournament – ten.
Michaela Walsh tops EU podium
It finished honours even between the Elite Boys and Girls in Green as regards who commanded the best medals table placing internationally, with the European Elite Men’s and European Union Elite Women’s squads both commanding 4th spot.
Aoibhe Carabine and Daina Moorehouse proudly display their gold medals
However, the European Women’s Youth and Junior panel collectively finished third in the medals table, Ireland’s best finish of 2017.
Callum Walsh on top of 60kg podium
No Irish squad was outside the top ten in the medals table in World and European competition since Rio Olympians Ward and Brendan Irvine and Kurt Walker took home gold and two bronze from the Ukraine.
Irish Boxing in World and European Competition in 2017
2017 European Men’s Elite Championships, Kharkiv, Ukraine June 14th/25th
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Pauls) Bronze
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal) Bronze
81kg Joe Ward (Moate) Gold
Medals Table: 4th
2017 European Women’s Youth and Junior Championships Sofia, Bulgaria July 3rd/10th
Youth
48kg Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata) (Silver)
75kg Lauren Kelly (St.Brigid’s, Edenderry) (Bronze)
Junior
46kg Ciara Brien (St David’s, Naas) (Bronze)
48kg Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry) (Gold)
50kg Catherine Blaney (Navan) (Bronze)
75kg Aoibhe Carabine (Geesala) (Gold)
Medals table: 3rd
2017 European Schoolboy Championships Valcea, Romania July 17th/26th
40kg Brooklyn Saunders (Ballybough) (Bronze)
41.5kg Jake Charles (Mullingar Elite) (Bronze)
44.5kg Cahir Gormley (Maydown Olympic) (Bronze)
46kg Patrick Sweeney (Olympic) (Silver)
50kg Patrick Donovan (Olympic) (Silver)
52kg Cain Lewis (Ballymun) (Bronze)
56kg Eoghan Lavin (Ballyhaunis) (Silver)
66kg John Ward (Brosna) (Bronze)
72kg Sean Walsh (Trojan) (Bronze)
80kg Jordan Ward (Bay City) (Bronze)
Medals table: 7th
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)
Medals table: 4th
World Elite Men’s Championships Hamburg, Germany August /September 2nd
81kg Joe Ward (Moate) (Silver)
Medals table: 9th
European Men’s Junior Championships Albena, Bulgaria September 18th/25th
60kg Callum Walsh (Riverstown) Gold
52kg Dean Clancy (Ballinacarrow) Silver
Medals tables: 4th
European Men’s Youth Championships Antalya, Turkey October 21st/28th
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Olympic) Bronze
75kg Jordan Myers (Sligo) Bronze
Medals table: 10th
AIBA World Women’s Youth Championships Guwahati, India November 19th/28th
48kg Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata) (Bronze)
64kg Katelynn Phelan (Bronze)
Medals table: 9th