Cliona D’Arcy has become the first Irish woman to win a World Youth Championship heavyweight title.
The Gort, Co. Galway boxer, of Tobair Pheadair, contested her final against India’s Kirti Kirti. The Irish boxer dominated the bout, and controlled the space, from the off – she took all three rounds, with the final score a 5-0; 30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27.
Its been an incredible year for Cliona who, in April, became European champion at the weight.
In all, Team Ireland claimed 6 medals at the World Youth Championships – bronze for Team Co-Captains welterweight Jim Donovan and light-heavy Dearbhla Tinnelly; lightweight Lee McEvoy, cruiserweight Nathan Ojo and light middle, Laura Moran.
Dearbhla and Laura also did a double this year – both are 2022 World and European medalists.
President, Gerry O’Mahony, says “I’m so proud of every boxer on this historic team – and especially our 5 remarkable bronze medalists. Cliona D’arcy has made Irish boxing history today, and joined a very select group of world champions. The Team Managers and World Youth coaches have done a magnificent job; shepparding a team through the highest level international competition is a challenging and rewarding task, and Managers Francis and Bernie, Coaches Mike, Lynne and Liam, have done so beautifully. I, and the Irish Boxing Family, greatly appreciate all that they have done”
This team has made history – they are now the most sucessful ever Irish World Youth Championship team. The previous Team Ireland record-setters at the tournament was the 2008 squad. The tournament in that year took place in Mexico, and Ireland came home with four medals:
60kg Ray Moylette Gold
64kg Jamie Kavanagh Silver
69kg David Joe Joyce Bronze
81kg Tommy McCarthy Bronze
Homecoming
The majority of the Team Ireland World Youth Championship Squad will return home on Sunday evening, landing at Dublin Airport’s Terminal 1 at 6pm.
Team Ireland Head Coach, Zauri Antia, travelled to La Nucia, Spain, on Monday to observe and support the team. He says “This is an incredible team – congratulations to each and every boxer, their World Youth coaches and support staff, and especially to their clubs, club coaches and families. There is great strength, depth and talent throughout the squad. Cliona’s achievement is wonderful, as are those of Lee, Jim, Nathan, Laura and Dearbhla – it is important to emphasise that every boxer on this sqaud gained invalubale international experience that will stand to them in the future”.
Team Ireland Squad
Men:
48kg Thady Patsy Joyce, Olympic L, Westmeath
51kg Jack Harkin, Oakleaf BC, Derry
54kg Gavin Ryan, Ratoath BC, Meath
57kg Roy Farrelly, Avona BC, Dublin
60kg Lee McEvoy, Avona BC, Dublin
63.5kg Conor McCrory, Townland ABC.
67kg James Donovan, OLOL, Limerick
71kg Bobbi Flood, Cabra BC, Dublin
75kg TJ King, Phoenix of Ballyboughal, Dublin
80kg Ryan Murphy, Neilstown, Dublin
86kg Nathan Ojo, Esker, Dublin
92kg David McDonagh, Olympic BC, Galway
92+ Bernard Cawley, St. David’s BC, Naas
Women:
48kg Georgia McGovern, Setanta L, Kildare
50kg Caoimhe Kinsella, St Anthony’s/Pats, Wexford
52kg Esther Lambe, Setanta L, Kildare
54kg Shakira Donoghue, Templemore, Tipperary
57kg Rebecca Kavanagh, Mulhuddart,
60kg Yasmin Meredith, Corinthians BC, Dublin
63kg Rebecca Collins, Baldoyle, Dublin
66kg Gabrielle Mongan, Whitechurch, Dublin
70kg Laura Moran, St Anne’s, Mayo
81kg Dearbhla Tinnelly, Clann Naofa, Louth
81+kg Cliona D’Arcy, Tobar Pheadair, Galway
Team Manager: Francis Keeling
Team Manager: Bernadette Lannon
Coach: Lynne McEnery
Coach: Michael Mongan
Coach: Liam Cunningham