Ceire Smith in action
The Irish Athletic Third-Level Boxing Association have named an experienced squad for the World University Boxing Championships in Thailand.
Boxing begins on October 3 at Chaing Mai University.
Ceire Smith, a multiple Irish Elite champion, and current Irish Elite champion Christina Desmond line out at flyweight and middleweight in South East Asia.
Big Kenneth Okungbowa, a two-time Irish Elite finalist, competes at heavyweight,and Conor Wallace,also an Irish Elite finalist, and Irish U/23 champion Gary McKenna wear the middleweight and lightweight vests.
Eamonn O’Kane and Cathal McMonagle competed in the inaugural World University Championships in 2004 in Turkey. McMonagle reached the last-eight, the nearest an IATBA boxer has got to a medal at this level.
That’s a statistic that Smith, McKenna, Desmond, Wallace and Okungbowa will be looking to change at the 7th edition of the tournament next month.
IATBA Squad 7th World University Championships Thailand: October 3/8
51kg Ceire Smith – Cavan BC & DCU
60kg Gary McKenna – Old School BC Monaghan & University of Ulster, Jordanstown
75kg Christina Desmond – Fr Horgans BC & LIT
75kg Conor Wallace – St Monica’s Newry & Southern Regional College, Newry
91kg Kenneth Okungbowa – Athlone BC & AIT