IABA is considering holding an event to mark the opening day of boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Team Ireland Boxing Team is the largest since Rome 1960, and Team Ireland is one of only 3 countries in the world to have qualified a full squad of women’s weights.
To celebrate that achievement, if there is demand from members, we wish to hold a watch-party of both sessions of Olympic Boxing on Saturday, July 27th at the National Stadium. In consideration of the fact that this date coincides with a planned day of boxing in the 2024 National U2 Championship, Central Council’s Competition Committee has affirmed its collaborative support of this event and that boxing in these championships will not take place on that day. Dependent upon entries, boxing in these championships is scheduled: July 12th 13th 14th /19th 20th 21st / 26th 27th 28th
If members are interested in IABA holding a watch party, we also wish to hold workshops before boxing and during the break between sessions, which will be open to all members of successfully affiliated clubs. These workshops, dependent upon demand from members, may include Anti-Doping, a Coaching Teenage Girls workshop, a Women/Girls S&C workshop and Basic First Aid/ Athlete Injury
If you or any member of you club would be interested in attending events on July 27th, please let us know here by 5pm on Sunday, July 7th: https://shout.com/s/GPuoe6hB
The released schedule shows that W54kg, W60kg and M63.5kg are down to box in both sessions on July 27th, and, dependent upon the draw, that means Jennifer Lehane, Kellie Harrington and Dean Clancy may all box on that day.
As Irish Boxing prepares to celebrate its Olympic centenary, we celebrate all 24 teams who’ve boxed for Team Ireland.
Today marks 23 days to the first bell at Paris 2024, and we revisit Amsterdam 1928. There were 14 sports, 20 disciplines and 109 events in the tournament. This was the second Olympic Games at which Ireland boxed and at these Games, Light-Heavyweight Boy Murphy became our first ever Boxing double Olympian, having contested Paris 1924.
Team of #Paris2024 includes and astounding 4 double Olympians: Michaela and Aidan Walsh, Aoife O’Rourke and defending lightweight champ, Kellie Harrington.
Team Ireland contested in all 8 of the available weight categories.
Matt Flanagan, who was selected as Irish flag bearer for the 1928 Games by the Olympic Council of Ireland, was the only Irish boxer not to win. His heavyweight bout with Niels Andreasen, described as a gigantic southpaw with a gap-toothed smile, was ruled a draw. The Irish Independent and Irish Times reported that just over 9,000 attended the meeting between Ireland and the Danes at the home of Irish football. Denmark also lost to the Irish Olympic reserve team at the Curragh a few days later.
Tipperary’s Paddy Dwyer, who had reached the semi-finals at Paris 1924, was Irish head coach for the 1928 Games which marked the first occasion that entries were limited to one boxer per weight division per nation. 144 boxers from 29 countries competed.
Dublin-born Frank Traynor reached the last-four in Amsterdam on August 10th, 1928.
The St Paul’s BC champion blasted his way into the semi-final at the Krachtsportgebouw venue after recording wins over Fuji Okamato (Japan) and Carmelo Robledo (Argentina) before losing out to Italy’s Vittorio Tamagnini.
He also lost out on points to Jewish bantamweight Harry Isaacs (South Africa) in the box-off for bronze. Willie “Boy” Murphy (Garda), who had won his first bout at the Paris Games in 1924, once again got off to a winning start in Amsterdam, this time out via a sensational first-round KO of Spain’s Jose Montilor Pastor.
But Murphy, who represented the Army at middleweight in Paris, exited after dropping a points decision to Germany’s Ernst Pistulla, who went on to claim silver, in the next phase.
PJ Lenihan and Jack Chase also secured wins for Ireland in the welterweight and middleweight classes, while Flanagan lost to eventual gold medallist, Arturo Rodriguez Jurado of Argentina.
As in Paris four years previously, boxing at the 1928 Games was contested across eight weight classes – flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight.
The Amsterdam Olympiad marked the first time that an Olympic flame was lit at the modern Games and all athletes were given strict guidelines by the Federation International De Boxe Amateur (FIBA) and the International Olympic Committee as to what exactly constituted an amateur.
“An amateur is one who has never competed for a money prize, staked bet or declared wager, who has not competed with or against a professional for any prize (except with the express sanction of the Amateur Boxing Association of the nation of which he is a member), and who has never taught, pursued or assisted in the practice of athletic exercises as a means of obtaining a livelihood or pecuniary gain.”
Italy finished on top of the medals table in the boxing event after claiming three gold medals and one bronze.
The legendary Pat O’Callaghan won gold at the 1928 Games in the hammer throw, Ireland’s first gold medal at the Olympics.
Ireland’s boxers helped shoulder our first Olympic champion, who was a good friend of Willie “Boy” Murphy, onto the boat home from the 1928 Games, but the search for Ireland’s first boxing medal would extend to Los Angeles 1932.
Team Ireland, Amsterdam, 1928.
Team Ireland, Amsterdam, 1928.
Flyweight: Michael “Myles” McDonagh (Army)
Lost to Brian Bril (Holland) Pts
Bantamweight: Frankie Traynor (St Paul’s)
Beat Fuji Okamato (Japan) Pts
Beat Carmelo Robledo (Argentina) Pts
Lost to Vittorio Tamagnini (Italy) Pts
Bronze medal box-off
Lost Harry Isaacs (South Africa) Pts
Featherweight: George Kelly (North City)
Lost to Rasmus Madsen (Denmark) Pts
Lightweight: Willie O’Shea (Army)
Lost to Jorge Diaz Hernandez (Chile) Pts
Welterweight : PJ Lenihan (St James)
Beat Arne Sande (Denmark) Pts
Lost to Ray Smillie (Canada) Pts
Middleweight: Jack Chase (Garda)
Beat Alfred Wilson (South Africa) Pts
Lost to to Leonard Steyaert (Belgium) Pts
Light-heavyweight: Willie ‘Boy’ Murphy (Garda)
Beat Jose Montilor Pastor (Spain) KO1
Lost to eventual silver medallist Ernst Pistulla (Germany) Pts
Heavyweight: Matt Flanagan (Garda)
Lost to eventual gold medalist Arturo Rodriguez Jurado (Argentina) Pts
In any Games after 1948, Frank Trainor would have come home with bronze. However, until then, a box-off for bronze took place. In the Paris 1924 Games, Paddy Dwyer also found himself in 4th place.
Entries to the 2024 National U22 Championships are being accepted until 5pm on Friday, July 5th.
The National Registrar, Mr. Philip Rooney, has advised that pro-wraps may be worn.
Please be advised that medical exams will take place, as usual, at the point of the boxer’s first weigh-in on their first day of competition and not on Tuesday July 9th, as previously advised.
Entries: A non–refundable entry fee of €30 applies, including in the event of a boxer withdrawal. Online entry, via the Blocworx portal, is open until 5pm, sharp, on Friday, July 5th . Entries will not be accepted without the payment of entry fees. All fees must be paid by 5pm on July 5th. Only boxers for whom entries have been completed and entry fees have been received will be allowed box.
Entry Form: 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 2023/2024 season can contact IABA staff, Sally Ann Kinch sally@iaba.ie, James Geraghty, James@iaba.ie or Ciara Plunkett, ciara@iaba.ie
As the U22 National Championships form a basis for team selection to international competition, 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 regulations {4.2}, holding an applicable in-date passport, (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, 09th July, 1pm in the National Stadium.
Only boxers entered through the Blocworx portal for whom fees are fully paid will be included in the draw.
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 U22 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.
Boxing Record books to be presented by the boxer at their initial weigh-in.
Age Requirements: Boxers born between 2002 and 2005 inclusive.
Waiver & Code of Conduct:
It is a condition of entry/participation that entrants completed the online Waiver/Code of Conduct process.
It is a condition of participation that all officials have completed the Waiver/Members acknowledgement form adhere to any agreement made with the Association sponsors.
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 the IBA Technical and Competition Rule 48.7, boxers may wear form-fitting arm and/or leg coverings. Hair must be tied back and swimming hats or hairnets should be worn under the headgear for boxers with long hair. No red, orange or pink gum shields are allowed A Boxer can have a beard and moustache, but either must not cover the neck and must not be longer that 10cms, in accordance with the 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. Only qualified coaches permitted in corners.
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:
The U22 Championship will be run under IBA Technical & Competition rules, as adopted on September 1st, 2022.
Referee & Judges for the U22 Championships will not be allowed enter the field of play as a coach with their club boxer.
All Referee & Judges must bring their record books.
Free online Diversity and Inclusion Awareness training is available to all members through the IABA’s 360 Degrees campaign, which champions the message that there is room for everyone in the squared circle. IABA’s 363 clubs are home to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, from across Ireland, Europe and the wider world.
360 Degrees is supported by National Head Coach, Zauri Antia, double Olympic medalist and IABA Belfast Boxing Officer, Paddy Barnes, Tokyo and Paris Olympian, Michaela Walsh, European Games boxer, Daina Moorehouse, boxer Sammy Ilesanmi, High Five Boxing Academy athlete, Darragh Kane, Ulster Participation and Engagement Officer, Louise McKenzie, and IABA Inclusion Officer, Sophie Doolan.
“360 Degrees is an important step for IABA – boxing is already an inclusive and welcoming sport. People from all walks of life, of all abilities and levels of support need, are training, coaching and administering IABA clubs. This programme is aimed at further empowering clubs, and club members through our eLearning module, and will enable clubs to sign up to our 360 Degrees charter, showing their commitment to their club being open to everyone.” IABA Inclusion Officer, Sophie Doolan
IABA High Performance Head Coach, Zauri Antia, who left his hometown of Poti, Georgia, to work in Irish boxing 19 years ago, say “Inclusion and identity are very important. Boxing is open to everyone. Training is open to everyone. Being in a boxing club is open to everyone. Not all of us can be boxing Olympic champions, but all of us can be in the boxing community. I know Irish Boxing, and I know how welcoming it is – Irish boxing welcomed me! 360 Degrees is very important for clubs to show their local communities they welcome everyone”
360 Degrees’ foundation is the IABA’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy, in which IABA recognizes and is enriched by the unique identity, life experiences, abilities, learning styles, knowledge and contribution of every individual within the existing boxing community and seeks to support the growth of our community to be even more inclusive of people from a diverse range of backgrounds at all levels of our sport including participating, coaching, officiating, volunteering, spectating and administering.
One of the key principles of the IABA’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy is that IABA will strive to achieve inclusion by creating pathways to participation, through working in partnership with clubs, representative groups, disability services and in consultation with people with disabilities and their families. The IABA commits to continued action to identify and remove physical, cultural, perceived, and other barriers to people in accessing our sport and our community.
It is through this principle, and partnerships with Sporting Pride, Activity Disability Ireland, SARI (Sport Against Racism Ireland) and in consultation with Vision Sport Ireland, that IABA created 360 Degrees. The campaign and programme includes:
The 360 Degrees Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit – This toolkit is designed to support boxing clubs in accessing the resources to allow everyone in their local communities to experience the benefits of boxing and being in a boxing club, no matter their background or ability.
The toolkit also looks at defining what an inclusive club is, engaging with clubs’ local communities, and providing modifications and training and environment for anyone who might wish them, all involving the key principles of openness and awareness.
The 360 Degrees Diversity and Intercultural Awareness eLearning programme – with practical guidance on language, culture and inclusion. All IABA club members can register their interest here. On completion of the modules, every participant receives a certificate of completion, bearing their name and their club’s name:
And for clubs, IABA has created the 360 Degrees Diversity and Inclusion Charter, which commits signatory clubs to supporting the growth of our community to be even more inclusive of people from a diverse range of backgrounds at all levels of our sport. Coaches and leaders of clubs which are signatories to the Charter should participate in the 360 Degrees Diversity and Intercultural Awareness eLearning programme
It’s 24 days to the first bell at #Paris2024. This is a special Games for #TeamIreland, its the centenary of the beginning of the Irish Olympic journey. Between now and the opening bout of the Games, we’re celebrating each and every Boxing Team that’s contested an Olympic Games, beginning with the team of Paris, 1924.
A total of 44 nations were represented at the 1924 Games. Boxing took place Vélodrome d’Hiver, along with fencing, weightlifting and wrestling.
Team Ireland, Paris 1924
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
John Kidley, Light-Heavyweight Men, who achieved a 9th place finish
Paddy Dwyer, in a modern Olympic Games, would have come home with bronze and would have held the title of Irish’s first Olympic Boxing medalist. However, until 1948, losing semi-finalists boxed for bronze.
And bantamweight Bob Hilliard went on to be immoralised in song by Kildare’s Christy Moore:
Robert Hilliard who boxed for Ireland at the 1924 Olympics was killed fighting with the Irish Brigade in Spanish Civil War. Immoralised in Christy Moore's hit song Viva la Quinta Brigada. 'Bob Hilliard was a Church of Ireland pastor From Killarney across the Pyrennes he came' https://t.co/Yx5Yn4ctra
126 events in 23 disciplines, comprising 17 sports, were part of the Olympic program in 1924. Cross-sport, The United States won the most gold and overall medals, having 229 athletes competing compared to France’s 401.
Paris 1924 had some memorable competitors, across sports, including American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, who won three golds. He claimed two further golds at the 1928 Games and went on to become famous playing Tarzan in 12 movies. The Paris Games themselves became immortalised in “Chariots of Fire”, the Oscar-winning film about principled British runner Eric Liddell by Hugh Hudson
One venue from the 1924 Games is slated to be used in 2024. The extensively renovated and downsized main stadium, known since 1928 as Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, will host field hockey.
