The IABA is in the process of conducting a review of the High Five Boxing Academy, an inclusive boxing training initiative designed for children with disabilities and additional needs, three years after its inception in four Dublin boxing clubs: Drimnagh, Crumlin, St. Catherine’s, and Palmerstown, alongside an expression of interest for new participant clubs.
Thanks to Paddy Dingle, the Chair of the High Five Programme, members of the Steering Committee, all participating clubs, boxers, parents, and all those who contributed to its successful implementation.
In addition to the four founder clubs, the below clubs also formally adopted the High Five programme in 2022:
Club
County
Duke’s Boxing Club
Tyrone
Gateway Boxing Club
Sligo
Greenhills Boxing Club
Dublin
Ledley Hall Boxing Club
Antrim
Oughterard Boxing Club
Galway
Tralee Boxing Club
Kerry
Templemore Boxing Club
Tipperary
Alongside fine tuning of the technical guidelines as they relate to training and development, information on buddies, volunteers and reporting, the review will also assist IABA to assess and understand the needs of individual clubs.
The closing date is 5pm on Friday, November 22nd, 2024. Any club requiring additional information is invited to contact IABA’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Officer, Patrick Adejayan via patrick.ad@iaba.ie
Paris Olympian, Grainne Walsh, has contributed to this key Sport Ireland resource
‘Body Composition: More than a Number’ is raising awareness about the importance of appreciating your body for what it can do, not what it looks like.
In the video Gráinne is joined by former Ireland rugby team captain Ciara Griffin, and track and former Olympic road cyclist Emily Kay.
They share their stories of overcoming stereotypes and navigating the physical and mental challenges on their journey to becoming top performers in their sports.
Grainne says ” People have this perception of, like, I’ll be happy when when I get to 10 stone, or I’ll be happy when I get to the Olympics. It doesn’t exist. If you’re not happy on the journey that is irrelevant”
The video features insights into body composition – the term used to describe the amounts of fat, bone, and muscle in human bodies – and advice on training, nutrition, mental health, and managing pressure from both others and ourselves.
Grainne says ” Comparison is the thief of joy in boxing and there’s so many different styles. The older you get the more you realize it’s actually just what you produce in the ring – power to weight. To increase your power is quite a difficult thing to do and in a lot of people’s head it’s easy to lose a couple of kilo but instead of losing weight, I realized that I was gaining muscle and look at the power I can put out, so I’vejust gotten to the point where I actually know my body inside out. Trying to live a normal life, being able to eat enough to get you through your sessions – if you’re producing the performances it doesn’t really matter what shape or size you are?
28 July 2024; Grainne Walsh of Team Ireland, left, in action against Anna Luca Hamori of Team Hungary in their women’s 66kg preliminary round of 32 bout at the North Paris Arena during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The 2025 National Elite Championships begin at the National Stadium, Dublin, tomorrow evening. Boxing in preliminaries and quarter finals begins at 6.30pm.
Boxers from clubs in Antrim, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Offaly, Waterford, Westmeath and Wicklow are among those between the ropes.
*All programmes are subject to change.
PRELIMS
67kg Cian Cramer (Cabra) V Jamie Long (Golden Gloves M)
67kg Malo Davis (Monkstown D) V Anthony Malanaphy (Erne)
QUARTER FINALS
60kg Rhys Owens (Erne) V Adam Kiely (Saviours Crystal)
60kg Adam Hession (Monivea) V Jordan Smith (Holy Family L)
60kg Bayo Alobi (Westside) V Adam Sinnott (Rathnew)
63.5kg John Paul Hale (Star) V Jason Nevin (Olympic Mullingar)
63.5kg Aaron O’Donoghue (Golden G M) V Evan Fitzgerald (Esker)
71kg Matthew McCole (Illies GG) V Eugene McKeever (Holy Family L)
75kg Taylor Guiney (St Mary’s D) V Feidhlem Behan (St Michaels Athy)
86kg Kian Hedderman (St Francis) V Shane Cunningham (Elite Cork)
86kg Robbie Olusola (Celtic Eagles) V Brian Kennedy (St Brigid’s Edenderry)
Please be advised that, as per Article 46 of the IBA Technical and Competition rules, headguards are removed from Women’s Elite Competitions, this also includes our National Elite Championships. Pro-wraps are permitted. Boxers with pro-wraps hands must present them to an official, as directed by the National Registrar, for inspection before competing.
Boxers who enter the 2025 National Elite Championships but who cannot compete through injury will be required to furnish a medical statement of injury to the National Secretary Antoinette Fay McClean at mccleaniaba@gmail.com
All boxers must contest in their club kit. International kit is not to be worn.
Weigh-ins and medicals are daily, on the day of boxing. Weigh-ins will take place, Tuesday to Friday, from 8am to 9am, and again from 12pm to 1pm.
Tickets
Tickets for all other days of boxing, November 12th to 14th, are available at the Box Office of the National Stadium. Finals tickets are available for pre-purchase on 085 131 1870
Preliminaries: Tuesday, November 12th – boxing begins at 6.30pm
Adults, €20
Under 14s: €5
Purchase: Tickets are available from the Box Office.
Quarter Finals: Wednesday, November 13th – boxing begins at 6.30pm
Adults, €20
Under 14s: €5
Purchase Tickets are available from the Box Office.
Semi Finals: Thursday, November 14th – boxing begins at 6.30pm
Adults, €20
Under 14s: €5
Purchase: Tickets are available from the Box Office.
Finals: Friday, November 15th – boxing begins at 5pm.
Two-time Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington is presented with the Flogas Community Ambassador Award by Flogas CEO John Rooney. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile PTSB CEO Eamonn Crowley, left, and gold medallist Kellie Harrington. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Two time Olympic Champion, Kellie Harrington, has been twice honoured by the Olympic Federation of Ireland at the Team Ireland Centenary Olympic Ball. In 1924 the first team competed for Ireland at the Olympic Games in Paris, and throughout the evening athletes and performances spanning the one hundred years were celebrated.
Kellie was recognised, along with all other Paris medalists, with the PTSB Inspiring a Nation Award 2024. She was also honoured for her relentless community work, through the Flogas Community Ambassador Award.
The first Team Ireland Boxing team to contest an Olympic Games, in Paris 1924, was: Myles McDonagh, Flyweight Men, who achieved a 9th place finish; Robert Hilliard, Bantamweight, who achieved a 9th place finish; Men Dan Flaherty, Bantamweight (DNS); Men Mossy Doyle, Featherweight, Men who achieved a 17th place finish; Pa Kellegher, Lightweight Men, who achieved a 17th place finish; Paddy Dwyer, Welterweight Men, who achieved a 4th place finish; Paddy Lenehan, Welterweight Men (DNS); Boy Murphy, Middleweight, Men, who achieved a 5th place finish and John Kidley, Light-Heavyweight Men, who achieved a 9th place finish.
700 guests, including 300 Olympians, gathered to celebrate 100 years of Team Ireland. Boxing Olympians and medalists in attendance included Ireland’s first boxing Olympic champion, Michael Carruth, two time medalist, Paddy Barnes, Beijing silver medalist, Kenny Egan, Mick Dowling, Martin Brereton and Cathal O’Grady, along with Paris Olympians Grainne Walsh, Jennifer Lehane, Daina Moorehouse, Jack Marley and Kellie Harrington. Also representing boxing were National High Performance Head Coach Zauri Antia – a 5 time Olympic coach, High Performance Coach and Paris Olympic Coach Damian Kennedy, Chair of the IABA Board of Directors Niall O’Carroll and Director and Dublin County Board President, Art O’Brien.
Boxing Olympians, Gráinne Walsh, Jennifer Lehane and Daina Moorehouse. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 5 time Olympic Boxing Coach, Zauri Antia and his wife Nona. Photo by Seb Daly/SportsfileBoxing Olympian Jack Marley, left, and Rugby Sevens Olympian Zac Ward. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Each Irish Olympian was presented with their official ‘number’ at the event, recognising the exceptional achievement it is for someone to even qualify for the Olympic Games. The highlight of the evening was the award ceremony, which celebrated individuals for their outstanding achievements, and President of Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sarah Keane, was also recognised for her contribution to Irish Olympic sport with an Order of Merit.
PTSB Inspiring a Nation Award 2024
The Paris 2024 Medallists won the PTSB Inspiring a Nation Award 2024, presented by Eamonn Crowley, CEO of PTSB, title sponsor to Team Ireland. During the Games in Paris, Irish athletes won a record seven medals and achieved 30 top-ten finishes. Whilst the performances of the whole team played a role in inspiring the nation, the medals won by each of the Olympic medallists lifted the country. Present on the night to accept their awards were Kellie Harrington (boxing gold), Rhys McClenaghan (gymnastics gold), Daniel Wiffen (swimming gold and bronze), Paul O’Donovan (rowing gold), Fintan McCarthy (rowing gold), Philip Doyle (rowing bronze), Mona McSharry (swimming bronze). Daire Lynch (rowing bronze) was also awarded, but unable to attend the evening.
Deloitte Lifetime Achievement Award
Two-time Olympic Champion and Olympic silver medallist, Paul O’Donovan was the winner of the Deloitte Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Harry Goddard, CEO of Deloitte Ireland. O’Donovan is the only Irish athlete who has won a medal at three consecutive Olympic Games and has been unbeaten at the World Championships since 2016.
Allianz Olympic Legacy Award
Olympic silver medallist, Sonia O’Sullivan was the winner of the Allianz Olympic Legacy Award, presented by Geoff Sparling, CCO of Allianz Ireland. O’Sullivan’s medal-winning performance in Sydney 2000 was a pivotal moment for Irish athletes, when she became a role model for people around Ireland and in particular for female athletes. In addition, she was the Chef de Mission for Team Ireland at the London Olympic Games in 2012, and has dedicated much of her life to giving back to the sport, and mentoring up and coming athletes.
Flogas Community Ambassador of the Year 2024
Two-time Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington won the Flogas Community Ambassador Award, presented by John Rooney, CEO of Flogas. Harrington is the only Irish boxer to retain an Olympic title, and she is in equal measures respected for her passion for giving back to her community. Aside from her involvement in the Dare to Believe schools programme, she is an ambassador for many community activations. The morning after she won her Olympic title, her first trip was to the nursing home next to the village to share her medal moment with the residents.
Key Patent Innovations Global Influence Award 2024
Two-time Olympian Mike Corcoran won the Key Patent Innovations Global Influence Award, presented by Angela Quinlan, Managing Director of Key Patent Innovations. The Canoe Slalom Olympian, and father of Olympians Madison and Michaela Corcoran, was a founder of MCOP, a Prosthetics Company, and he was recently recognised by President Zelensky for his tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to healing wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Sport Ireland Breakthrough Olympian 2024
Olympic Champion and Olympic bronze medallist Daniel Wiffen won the Sport Ireland Breakthrough Olympian Award, presented by John Foley, Chair of Sport Ireland. Wiffen’s dominance in the 800m event at the Paris Olympics, with an Olympic record, launched himself onto the global stage, backed up with a bronze medal in the 1500m.
President’s Award 2024
Six-time Olympian Terry McHugh won the first President’s Award 2024, presented by Sarah Keane, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland. McHugh is the only Irish Olympian who has competed in six Olympic Games – four Summer Games as a Javelin Thrower, and two Winter Games as a Bobsleigh athlete. McHugh played a pioneering role in Ireland’s participation in its first Winter Olympic Games and made history competing in both a summer and winter Olympics in 1992. Paul McDermott, Director of High-Performance with Sport Ireland, was presented with the second President’s Award for the important administrative work he does with Olympic sports.
Tickets for the 2025 National Elite Championship finals are available for pre-sale from 10am on Saturday morning.
Tickets for all other days of boxing, November 12th to 14th, are available at the Box Office of the National Stadium. Finals tickets are available for pre-purchase on 085 131 1870
Preliminaries: Tuesday, November 12th – boxing begins at 6.30pm
Adults, €20
Under 14s: €5
Purchase: Tickets are available from the Box Office.
Quarter Finals: Wednesday, November 13th – boxing begins at 6.30pm
Adults, €20
Under 14s: €5
Purchase Tickets are available from the Box Office.
Semi Finals: Thursday, November 14th – boxing begins at 6.30pm
Adults, €20
Under 14s: €5
Purchase: Tickets are available from the Box Office.
Finals: Friday, November 15th – boxing begins at 5pm.
