“We would love to qualify the biggest team ever to represent Ireland – and we believe that is achievable”; so says High Performance Director, Tricia Heberle, on the eve of the 1^st Olympic World Qualifier.

5 Irish boxers have already qualified for Paris – reigning lightweight Olympic champ, Kellie Harrington, Tokyo Olympians Belfast’s Michaela Walsh (57kg)  and Roscommon’s Aoife O’Rourke (75kg); 63.5kg Dean Clancy (Sligo), and Dublin’s Jack Marley, the first Irish heavyweight in 30 years to medal at a Category A event. 8 Irish boxers will vie to do likewise at the 1^st of two Olympic World Qualifiers.

This short film, a peek inside High Performance, is part of a series of shorts on Irish Boxing – Seconds Out: Stories of Irish Boxing, commissioned by IABA and produced by Lowki Culture. It features a revealing inside look at HP, with Director & Olympian Tricia Heberle, Head Coach Zauri Antia, Coach Damian Kennedy and now double Olympian, Michaela Walsh.

Michaela says “High Performance, outside of the ring, has helped me massively. For me, High Performance is doing the small things right. It’s now always about training or performing, it’s doing the little things right”

High Performance on the Road to Paris delves in to performance analysis, coaching philosophy, technical & tactical development, High Performance culture, the daily training environment and preparations for Paris 2024.

Head Coach, Zauri Antia says “There are many factors there (in success). The best thing is culture. Culture comes from many things, from traditions, from home, from community. Culture is behaviour…Life is about a battle between positive and negative. And I know, only in positive state of mental strength, you can perform best”

High Performance Coach, Damian Kennedy says “We’ve always had a massive fighting spirit, and with the technical tactical aspect that we’ve brought to it, I think we’re on the right track to becoming the world’s number 1 boxing nation.”

1^st Olympic World Qualifier Team:

50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Wicklow

54kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin

66kg Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght, Dublin

51kg Sean Mari, Monkstown BC, Dublin

57kg Jude Gallagher, Two Castles ABC, Tyrone

71kg Aidan Walsh, Holy Family GG BC, Belfast

80kg Kelyn Cassidy, Saviours Crystal, Waterford

92+kg Martin McDonagh, Crumlin BC, Dublin

1^st Olympic World Qualifier Schedule:

The Technical Meeting and Draw take place from 4.30pm on March 2nd.

About Lowki Culture:

Lowki are a creative content house developing, designing and producing digital stories with heart and mind. Our mission is to transform your journey of discovery and learning, making it a memorable experience. Led by seasoned experts, we bring you authentic, real-world stories with a little raw flavour!

IABA is aware of a serious incident during the final stages of the 2024 National Boy 4 Championship quarter finals in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, this evening.

That such an incident could occur at a children’s sporting event is abhorrent, and is roundly condemned by every member of the Irish boxing family.

Gardai are investigating.

Two more days of boxing were scheduled in to take place in this competition over the weekend. They have been suspended and the remaining days of boxing will be rescheduled

Understandably, there will be clubs, boxers, officials and supporters at a loss. But in the interest of their safety, there is no option; risk remains too high even if the competition proceeds behind closed doors.

ENDS.

As part of the Team Ireland celebrations to mark its centenary, the Olympic Federation of Ireland has launched an Olympian Recognition Programme which allows schools, universities, clubs, and communities to celebrate their local Olympians with a Team Ireland plaque that can be erected in their honour. The inaugural plaque has today been installed in St. Mary’s Boxing Club, Tallaght, in Dublin – the home of reigning Tokyo lightweight champion and Paris Olympian, Kellie Harrington.

Team Ireland first competed at the Olympic Games in 1924, in a Games that also took place in Paris, embarking on a rich and colourful history, accumulating 38 medals and numerous stories along the way. 911 Irish people have represented Ireland at the Olympic Games throughout this one-hundred-year period. Most communities in Ireland have witnessed in some form the dedication, commitment, work and passion that Irish athletes have committed to their Olympic journey, and to celebrate its 100^th year, Team Ireland is offering an opportunity for communities to recognise these achievements by erecting a special Irish Olympic plaque in their premises.

Speaking about the scheme, Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Paris 2024, and London 2012 Olympian in triathlon, Gavin Noble said, “This year holds significant importance, not only in terms of our performance at Paris 2024, but also as we commemorate 100 years of Team Ireland. We will embrace a heightened vision of Team Ireland and the significance of being part of it. Thus, we encourage all performance enablers to join us in celebrating the team this year, recognising both their contributions and the pivotal role they play in enabling others to achieve Olympic ambitions, both past and present. Giving clubs and communities the chance to display the Olympic rings alongside their local Olympians can have a profound effect. As well as recognising the achievements of the athlete, it generates a legacy to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”

More details on how to recognise a local Olympian and to apply for a Team Ireland plaque can be found AT THIS LINK.

Two key members of boxing clubs have today been awarded their County Award in the Federation of Irish Sport’s 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards

Mick Duddy of Ring Boxing Club, Derry and Amanda Spencer of Jobstown Boxing Club, Dublin – both were nominated through the public process underway between November 13th and December 18th, for their commitment to their clubs and local communities.

Supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships these dedicated volunteers will be celebrated at a national awards ceremony in Dublin on Thursday 29^th February 2024, which was also attended by the Chairperson of IABA’s Board of Directors, Niall O’Carroll

With a record-breaking number of entries, the 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards have seen nominations from over 50 different sporting disciplines, highlighting the widespread impact of volunteering ranging from mass participation sports to new and emerging sports. The 32 county awards were presented, honouring outstanding volunteers from every corner of the country who have demonstrated commitment and dedication, serving as role models within their communities and inspiring others to get involved in sports volunteering.

FULL LIST OF 2023 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS COUNTY RECIPIENTS

County	First	Surname	Club
Antrim	Cathryn	Watson	Ballymoney Hockey Club
Armagh	Ciarán	Maguire	O’Hanlon’s LGFA
Carlow	Stephen	Dargan	Carlow FC
Cavan	Fidelma	Sheridan	Cumman Na mBunscol Co. Cavan & Erne Eagles Rounders Club
Clare	Claire	Cuddihy	Clare Comets Basketball Club and Ennis Raptors basketball Club
Cork	Eoin	Kelly	Beech Hill Table Tennis Club
Derry	Micky	Duddy	Ring Boxing Club
Donegal	Damien	Devine	Deele Community Anglers
Down	Arnold	Morgan	Banbridge Table Tennis Club
Dublin City	Henry	Gillanders	Mount Pleasant LTC
Dublin DLR	Matt	Hanlon	Dalkey Devils Volleyball Club
Dublin Fingal	Nuala	Garrihy	Fencing Ireland
Active Dublin South	Amanda	Spencer	Jobstown Boxing Club
Fermanagh	Ian	Ross	Enniskillen Rugby Club
Galway	Tony	Stephens	Claregalway GAA Club
Kerry	Lorcan	Murphy	Iveragh Athletics Club
Kildare	Roy	Baker	Irish Martial Arts & Kickboxing Ireland
Kilkenny	Ashley	Godden	Kilkenny Swimming Club
Laois	Jackie	Byrne	Mountrath St. Fintan’s GAA
Leitrim	Mary	McMorrow	Manorhamilton Community Tennis Club
Limerick	Wanda	Dwane	Mungret St Paul’s GAA Club
Longford	Ben	McCormack	Ballymahon Vocational School
Louth	Fintan	Cooper	Glen Magic Soccer Club
Mayo	Phelim	Halligan	Claremorris Ultimate Kickboxing Club
Meath	David	Quinn	Dunshaughlin Youths Football Club
Monaghan	Una	Forde	Monaghan Harps GAA
Offaly	John	Corboy	Birr Town FC
Roscommon	Philip	Gordan	Lough Ree Angling hub
Sligo	Simon	Cavanagh	GAA Handball
Tipperary	Paddy	Doyle	Moyne Athletic Club
Tyrone	Rachel	McBride	Riding For Disabled Omagh
Waterford	Sally	Kavanagh	Waterford Hockey Club
Westmeath	Nuala	Lawlor	Shoot ‘n Stars Special Olympics
Wexford	Martin	Moylan	Dunbrody Archers
Wicklow	Ruth	McDonagh	Bray Hockey Club

The economic significance of volunteering in sport cannot be overstated, it has an estimated value of €1.5 billion annually to the Irish economy. This figure underscores the immense social and economic benefits derived from the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the Irish sporting landscape.

Speaking at the awards, Minister Thomas Byrne noted; “Volunteers are the backbone of Irish sport and I am delighted to see their vital contribution recognised and celebrated by these awards. As Sport Minister, I am acutely conscious of the challenges involved with volunteering and I recently welcomed the publication of the Sport Ireland Policy on Volunteering in Sport, which sets out an ambitious vision for a sports sector with the best volunteering culture in the world. The success of Irish sport would not be possible without the many thousands of volunteers that willingly dedicate their time every week, in every part of Ireland, to help others enjoy their sport and I want to thank every volunteer for their valuable contribution.”

Federation CEO Mary O’Connor commented; “We are delighted to bring together the 2023 recipients of the Volunteers in Sport Awards from all over the country to receive their award from Minister Byrne today. Without this army of volunteers in clubs all around the country we would not have the level of grassroots participation that we do. It is important to take this time out and show our appreciation to the many unsung heroes of sport. We have heard today how sport can have such a meaningful and positive impact on our physical and mental health. And these volunteers are the conduit to providing that benefit.”

Programmes of boxing in the 2024 National B/G 4 Championships have been published.

The schedule for the opening day of the tournament, Quarter Finals beginning at 6pm, is:

1. 36kg  Rhys Dillon (Santry)V Jude Reilly (Immaculata A)
2. 36kg  Jim Keenan (Leeside Lough) V Aidan Moore (Dealgan)
3. 36kg  Donnachadh Beagan (Sean Dorans) V Luke Lawless (Loughrea)
4. 39kg  Paul Lavin (Ballinamore) V Nicholas O’Rourke (St Marys NR)
5. 46kg  Gary McComb (Midland) V Blair Kirk (Killyman)
6. 46kg  Daniel Nevin (Kilcullen) V James McDonagh (Cherry Orchard)
7. 46kg  Tom McAleer (Oughterard) V Christopher O’Driscoll (Golden Gloves)
8. 46kg  Lee Largey Snodden (Immaculata) V Jason McDonagh (Galway)
9. 48kg  Phelim Hogan (Crumlin) V Michael Russell (Rathnew)
10. 50kg  Titas Noreika  (Silverbridge) V Frank Regan (Immaculata)
11. 52kg  Conan McSorley (Two Castles) V Aaron Nevin (Portlaoise)
12. 52kg  Cian Carmody (Treaty) V  Zeus Gaughan (Baldoyle)
13. 52kg  John Nevin (Olympic C)  V   Kian O’Sullivan (Conamara)
14. 54kg  Lorcan Holohan (Portlaoise) V  Jason Donoghue (Olympic Mullingar)
15. 54kg  Kai Dynes (Immaculata) V Thomas Mongans (Sliabh Luachra)
16. 54kg  Michael Ward (Claremorris)  V Lucas McIvor (Oakleaf)
17. 57kg  Liam Waters (St Marthas) V Bernie McDonagh (Galway)
18. 57kg  James Rooney (Immaculata) V Phoenix Kenny (Baldoyle)
19. 57kg  Michael Sweeney (Olympic C) V Luke Flanagan (St Brigids Kildare)
20. 60kg  Kajus Dubanovics (Portadown) V Christopher Doyle (Templemore)
21. 60kg  John Barrett (Olympic C) V Martin Collins (Baldoyle)
22. 63kg  Gerard Smyth (Immcaulata)  V Chris Corcoran (Galway)
23. 63kg  Con Desmond (Bantry) V Kailem Kelly (Baldoyle)
24. 66kg  Danny Hogan (Mulhuddart) V Darragh Ryan (Drimnagh)
25. 66kg  Shane Duke (Dukes) V Ronan Sands (Oliver Plunkett)
26. 66kg  Peter McGhee (St Conleths)  V Kevin Pukuta (Portlaoise)
27. 66kg  Martin Sweeney (Galway) V Charlie O’Donoghue (Ennis)
28. 70kg  John Ward (Monivea)  V Zac Murray (Immaculata)
29. 70kg  Shaun Doohan (Dunfanaghy)  V John Murray (St Francis)
30. 75kg  Michael Downey (Muskerry)  V Senan Kennedy (Cabra)

Boxing Schedule:

Friday, March 1^st – Boxing begins at 6pm

Saturday, March 2^nd – First Session begins at 11am; Second Session begins at 6pm

Sunday, March 3^rd – Boxing begins at 11am

Weigh-ins at Castlerea Boxing Club

Friday 8-9am and 12-1pm

Saturday 8-9am

Sunday 8-9am

Live-Stream

IABA and partners StreamSport.ie and JW Player will be live-streaming every bout of the 2024 National Boy/Girl 4 Championships, live from Castlerea BC, The Hub, Castlerea Co. Roscommon.

Supporters can now purchase streams of individual days of boxing on March 1st, 2nd or 3rd, or the entire championships, here

Waiver/Code of Conduct

Thank you to the 158 parents/guardians who have completed the waiver/code of conduct, here https://shout.com/s/xQMaPYqB

Please ask any remaining parents/guardians to complete the link by February 29^th. Review and signing takes under 3 minutes. It is a condition of competition that these documents are digitally signed by parents/guardians and boxers.

For queries or comments on this process, please contact IABA National Safeguarding Manager, Stephen Flynn – stephen@iaba.ie.

Boys Semi Finals, Saturday March 2nd from 11am

Boys Semi Finals and Selected Girls Finals, Saturday March 2nd from 6pm

Remaining Finals, Sunday March 3rd, from 11am