The Team Ireland World Youth Championship team have held their final training session before departing for Budva.
The tournament is the pinnacle of competition for boxers of this age group. 660 boxers from 88 national federation will represent their countries at the tournament, which is being hosted by the Montenegro Boxing Federation from October 20th to November 6th. The draw is expected to take place on October 22nd. The IBA is expected to live-stream the tournament on its YouTube channel.
The team departs for Budva tomorrow, after a weeks-long training bloc. Part of the preparation for the Team Ireland team has been training at Abbotstown, hosted in the High Performance Unit, in October and September, including blocs of co-training with the European U22 Championship team.
Jobstown BC’s Adam Olaniyan has been named Team Captain. Adam is the reigning European Youth champion at superheavy, and is a former European Schools champion.
This is a biannual tournament and was last contested by Ireland in La Nucia, Spain, in November 2022. Ireland returned with 6 medals: Gold for 81kg Cliona D’Arcy and light heavy, Team Co-Captain Dearbhla Tinnelly, Lightweight Lee McEvoy, light middle Laura Moran and Team Co-Captain, welter Jim Donovan all came home with bronze medals.
There are two weeks remaining for entry to Irish Boxing’s marquee competition: the National Elite Championships.
The tournament will be contested by World and European medalists, as well as Paris Olympians and Paris & Tokyo Olympians.
Boxing will take place at the home of Irish Boxing from November 11th to 15th.
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.
Competition Arrangements
Dates: November 11tht to 15th. Finals take place on the 15th,
Entries: A non–refundable entry fee of €40 applies. Online entry, via the Blocworx portal, is open till 5pm sharp on Friday 1st, November. Only boxers for whom entries and entry fees have been received will be allowed box. All boxers must enter the Elite championships to be considered for International Duty.
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
Entry Process: Affiliated clubs wishing to enter boxers into the championships must log-in to their Blocworx portal, using their unique username and password. Clubs who have not retained their username or password following the completion of their affiliation for the 2024/2025 season, or which are experiencing any difficulty in submitted boxing information or fees should contact IABA staff, Sally Ann Kinch sally@iaba.ie, James Geraghty, James@iaba.ie or Ciara Plunkett, ciara@iaba.ie
Please be aware that all boxers entering this competition must: (1) be members of an IABA affiliated club, (2) must be explicitly named in their club’s Blocworx portal, (3) be eligible to represent IABA under IBA eligibility requirements (4) boxers must have completed the applicable waiver/code of conduct process
No international competition kits to be worn by any boxers; boxers may wear club kit, only.
Draws: Tuesday, 05th November, 1pm in the National Stadium. The draw is being conducted on the basis of pre-entry only.
Attention is drawn to the following IABA rule
A club shall not include in its list of members the name of any person who is a member of any other club. Accordingly, any club making an entry to the National Elite championships affirms that the entrant is not a member of any other club, in any jurisdiction.
Weigh-in and Medical: Boxers will weigh in each day they box. Individual weigh-in times may be given to participants but this will be decided and made known prior to the event. A medical will be performed on each boxer on their first day of competition.
Boxing Record books to be presented by the boxer at their initial weigh-in.
Age Requirements: Boxers born between 1984 and 2005.
It is a condition of entry that all competitors and officials have a signed Waiver/Members Acknowledgement Form and adhere to any agreement made with the Association sponsors. This document also stipulates requirements in relation to conduct throughout the championships, and social media It is the duty and responsibility of the National Registrar to withdraw any boxer deemed to be insufficiently experienced for Elite level competition, with reference to the boxer’s Boxing Record book.
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.
HEADGUARDS: 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.
Anti-Doping may be carried out at any stage of the championships and all boxers must advise the doctor of any medication they are taking or have taken in the preceding 4 weeks. It is imperative that all boxers adhere to the Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations. For any queries regarding this matter, boxers/coaches should contact Mr Larry Morrison, IBA Anti-Doping Officer on 086-0292476.
Non Pregnancy Declaration forms must be signed.
Attire: Boxers shall have one red and one blue vest. In accordance with IBA Technical and Competition rule 48.7, boxers may wear form fitting arm / and or leg coverings. Hair must be tied back and hairnets or swimming caps should be worm under head gear for boxers with long hair. NO red, orange or pink gumshields are allowed. A boxer can have a beard and moustache, but either must not cover the neck and must not be longer than 10cm, in accordance with IBA Technical and Competition rule 4.2.5.2.2
Coaches: They must wear track suitsandrunners at all sessions and endeavour to set a high standard of hygiene in the corners. No shorts, caps or hats are allowed.
Sportsmanship: All decisions must be accepted in a sporting manner. Any complaints must be addressed to the Chief Official, Mr. Philip Rooney. Please show respect to all Ringside Officials. A document stipulating requirements in relation to conduct and the use of social media must be signed by all boxers and coaches at their initial weigh-in.
Please Note:
Referees & Judges for the Elite Championships will not be allowed enter the field of play as a coach with their club boxer.
All Referee & Judges must bring their record book.
Please ensure when entering your boxer into Blocworx, that your Boxers email address is also entered to give the boxers direct access to information on the selection policy or the nomination declaration process.
Four Team Ireland boxers will contest this weekend’s 2024 European U22 Championship finals in Sofia, Bulgaria.
327 boxers from 36 federations have contested the tournament -Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, IBA Neutral N, IBA Neutral B, Ireland, Israel, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales.
48kg Carleigh Irving was the first between the ropes, opening the action in Ring A’s Afternoon Session. She boxed for a place in the final against Lilla Szeleczk of Hungary. Carleigh was the dominant boxer from the off, but the bout was a testy one, resulting in a point deduction for the Hungarian. Carleigh up-grade her bronze by way of a 5-0 decision, on a score line of 30:26; 30:26; 30:26; 30:26; 30:26.
2022 World Champion, 70kg Lisa O’Rourke, contested her semi final against Poland’s Barbara Marcinkowska and her opponent was similarly penalised…Lisa is through to Saturday’s finals following a UD. The final scores: 30:26; 30:26; 30:26; 30:26; 30:26.
48kg Louis Rooney was first up in Ring B’s Evening Session, and boxed for a place in the finals against Hungary’s Csaba Zsigo. Louis showed this class throughout the bout, and won each round. His UD on a 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27. 54kg Patsy Joyce took on Ukraine’s Dymtro Kolisnichenko – these boxers were well match in a close contest which went to the judges. The Estonian, Slovakian and Serbian judges favoured Patsy, and he’ll box for gold on Sunday. Judges scored the bout: *28:28; 29:27 *28:28; *28:28; 29:27.
54kg Robin Kelly contested to upgrade against Paris Olympian and reigning European champion, Serbia’s Sara Cirkovic. Robin put in a battling performance, but the 5-0 decision went to the Serbian athlete. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27. Robin comes home with bronze, with two wins in the bank. 51kg Clepson dos Santos returned to action in Bout 2 of Ring A’s Evening Session, and met Armenia’s Rudolf Garboyan. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30.
71kg Bobbi Flood took on former World Youth and Elite Champion, Yurii Zakharieiev. Bobbi contested very strongly against the Ukrainian, who is three years his senior, and held him to a 4-1 split. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27; 28:29; 29:28; 30:27. In the last bout of the day in Ring A, 92+kg Martin McDonagh met Greece’s Stylianos Roulias, an athlete who, like Martin, missed out on Paris qualification in Bangkok by a hair’s breadth. This was an extremely close bout, and Martin fell foul of the dreaded 3-2 split, on a scoreline of 29:28; 28:29; 28:29; 28:29; 29:28;
327 boxers from 36 federations have contested the tournament -Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, IBA Neutral N, IBA Neutral B, Ireland, Israel, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales.
Finals
Friday is a rest day at the tournament. Organisers have revised Women’s finals will be boxed on Saturday, and Men’s on Sunday. Boxing on both days begins at 2pm, Irish time.
48kg Carleigh Irving will take on Turkey’s Nursselen Yalgattekin in the opening bout of the Women’s Finals. In bout 9, 70kg Lisa O’Rourke will contest for gold against IBA-B’s Darya Letsko.
On Sunday, 48kg Louis Rooney is first up, boxing for a top-of-the-podium place against Azerbaijan’s Tural Sariyev. 54kg Patsy Joyce is in action in the 3rd bout, taking on Scotland’s Aaron Cullen.
Robyn Kelly will be awarded her bronze medal on Saturday. Clepson dos Santos, Bobbi Flood and Martin McDonagh will receive their medals on Sunday.
Watch
The EUBC is live-streaming the tournament on its YouTube channel. Links, per day and session, will be published closer to the time of boxing.
Team Ireland
48kg Carleigh Irving, Oakleaf Boxing Club
54kg Robyn Kelly, Ballynacargy Boxing Club
57kg Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal Boxing Club
63kg Linda Desmond, Rylane Boxing Club
66kg Kaci Rock, Enniskerry Boxing Club
70kg Lisa O’Rourke, Castlerea Boxing Club
75kg Bethany Dooecy, Castlebar Boxing Club
48kg Louis Rooney, Star Boxing Club
51kg Clepson dos Santos, Holy Trinity ABC
54kg Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC Mullingar
57kg Gavin Ryan, Ratoath Golden Gloves Boxing Club
As part of the Paris Wave programme, and to assist boxers, coaches and clubs, IABA is now making additional Safeguarding courses available. All adults – coaches, committee members and non-coaching volunteers – in every club who have contact with children are required to have undertaken Safeguarding 1.
IABA has made available 10 Safeguarding 1 workshops to date in 2024, and 8 more are already scheduled for the period August to December. Additional Safeguarding Two courses, under the Paris Wave programme, are available, online, on the following dates:
In keeping with Sport Ireland best practice in Safeguarding training, workshops will be limited to 16 participants. In keeping with norms across the sporting community, the cost for this workshop is E20. Registration for each course will close 2 days before the date, and those who’ve registered will be sent payment information. The participation reservation will expire if payment is not received by 5pm on the scheduled day of the workshop.
The below Safeguarding One courses, parting of the existing 2024 Calendar, remain available for booking here https://shout.com/s/uZjsXdPN
Month
Date
Time
August
17th
10am
23rd
1pm
September
10th
7pm
19th
7pm
October
11th
1pm
19th
10am
November
6th
7pm
21st
7pm
Additional Information: For any additional information, please contact IABA’s National Safeguarding Manager, Stephen Flynn, at stephen@iaba.ie
County Boards and Provincial Units who wish to schedule in-person Safeguarding training in their area are invited to contact IABA National Safeguarding Manager, Stephen Flynn, stephen@iaba.ie, to make arrangements.
No fewer than 8 Team Ireland boxers will come home from Bulgaria with European U22 Championship medals, following the completion of all quarter finals today.
327 boxers from 36 federations are contesting the tournament -Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, IBA Neutral N, IBA Neutral B, Ireland, Israel, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales. October 18th is a rest day, and finals will be boxed across October 19th and 20th.
48kg Louis Rooney claimed the first scalp, and first medal, of the day. He won a 4-1 split decision victory over Armenia’s Hovhannes Harutyunyan, on a score line of 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 29:28; 28:29. Next to get his place on the podium was 51kg Clepson dos Santos. He contested against Davit Japaridze and held him to a 5-0 win. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 28:29; 28:29; 27:30; 27:30
54kg Patsy Joyce made his tournament debut today, against Estonia’s Allan Morozov and will find his luggage a little heavier on the way home. His UD, on a score line of 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27 means he’s claimed at leads a bronze.
71kg Bobbi Flood returned for his third bout of the tournament, contesting against Spain’s Sergio Martinez. He utterly dominated to a 5-0 win, evidenced by the final scores : 27:29; 26:30; 25:30; 26:30; 26:30. Bobbi is through to Thursday’s semi finals
Superheavy, Martin McDonagh, met IBA-B’s Mikita Nahorny in a tough bout, in which Martin gave a standing count. He’s coming home with at least a bronze, following a 4-1 decision. Judges scored the bout 29:27; 29:28; 30:27; 28:29; 30:27
57kg Gavin Ryan put in a valiant performance in his QF against Georgia’s Gor Ayvazyan, but it wasn’t to be following a UD. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27. Gavin returns home with two valuable wins over Macedonia and Romania. While 63.5kg Roy Colgan battling through a very tense and testy bout against IBA-B’s Vadzim Vauchok, in which points were deducted from both boxers: 2 from Roy, and 1 from Vauchok. 4-0 decision when to the IBA-B boxer: 28:26; 28:26; 27:27; 28:26; 28: 26. Roy returns home with an important win over Juraj Bona of Slovakia under his belt.
Semi Finals
8 Team Ireland boxers will vie for medal up-grades on Thursday.
48kg Carleigh Irving is the first between the ropes, opening the action in Ring A’s Afternoon Session. She boxes for a place in the final against Lilla Szeleczk of Hungary. In Bout 4 of the same ring and session, 54kg Robin Kelly contests to upgrade against Paris Olympian and reigning European champion, Serbia’s Sara Cirkovic. While in Bout 9 in Ring B’s Afternoon Session, 70kg Lisa O’Rourke contests her semi final against Poland’s Barbara Marcinkowska.
51kg Clepson dos Santos return to action in Bout 2 of Ring A’s Evening Session, and meets Armenia’s Rudolf Garboyan – while 54kg Patsy Joyce is up in the subsequent bout, taking on Ukraine’s Dymtro Kolisnichenko. In the last bout of the day in Ring A, 92+kg Martin McDonagh meets Greece’s Stylianos Roulias, an athlete who, like Martin, missed out on Paris qualification in Bangkok by a hair’s breadth.
48kg Louis Rooney is first up in Ring B’s Evening Session, and boxes for a place in the finals against Hungary’s Csaba Zsigo. In Bout 8, 71kg Bobbi Flood meets former World Youth and Elite Champion, Yurii Zakharieiev
