The draws have taken place for the 75th Strandja Memorial Tournament and have thrown up some mouth-watering contests for Team Ireland athletes.

261 boxers from 28 federations will contest the tournament, hosted in Sofia by the Bulgarian Boxing Federation. Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, China, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tukey, Turkey and Uzbekistan have all fielded teams.

No Irish boxer is in action on the opening day of the tournament, Sunday. However, four women begin their campaigns on Monday, all at the preliminaries stage.

54kg Niamh Fay opens Ireland’s account at the competition, contesting against India’s Preeti Preeti, who has qualified for Paris, in the afternoon session (Bout 37). Two of Ireland’s Paris qualified boxers are in action in the same session – 57kg Michaela Walsh takes on Tajikistan’s Mijgona Samadova (Bout 29), and 75kg Aoife O’Rourke meets India’s Lovlina Borgohain (Bout 32) – a world champion who has also qualified for Paris. In Monday’s evening session, 66kg Lisa O’Rourke steps between the ropes for the first time since winning gold at Leszek Drogosz in Poland – against Thailand’s Janjaema Suwannapheng (Bout 48kg)

On Tuesday, Paris qualified 63.5kg Dean Clancy, 57kg Adam Hession and 92+kg Martin McDonagh will all box in the afternoon session. Dean contests against Uzbekistan’s Adkhamjon Mukhiddinov (Bout 75), Adam makes in debut against Mongolia’s Karkhuu Enkh-Aman (Bout 59) and Martin meets Ukraine’s Andrii Khaletskyi in Bout 80

On Wednesday, 51kg Rickey Nesbitt is in action – he contests against Uzbekistan’s ALILOV Asilbek Jalilov in Bout 95, an afternoon session contest. Clubmate, 71kg Eugene McKeever, in between the ropes in Bout 96, against Moldova’s Davron Bozorov.

Paris-qualified heavyweight Jack Marley has the longest wait to begin his campaign – he won’t box until Thursday’s evening session, at the quarter finals stage. He’ll meet Uzbekistan’s Madiyar Saydrakhimov in Bout 140.

Afternoon sessions at Strandja begin at 1pm, Irish time; evening sessions begin at 3.30pm.

The Buglarian Boxing Federation will stream the tournament live on its YouTube channel – links, per ring and session, will become available on the day of boxing.

Four boxers have been withdrawn through injury – 66kg Amy Broadhurst (ankle), 57kg Dylan Eagleson (hand) and 71kg Dean Walsh (back). 50kg Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s BC, Mayo, who travelled to the tournament, will not contest though injury. Kellie Harrington will travel to Assisi for a multi-nations training camp.

Team

50kg Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s BC, Mayo*

54kg Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin

57kg Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG, Belfast

66kg Lisa O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon

75kg Aoife O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon

51kg Rickey Nesbitt, Holy Family BC, Drogheda

57kg Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway

63.5kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim

71kg Eugene McKeever, Holy Family, Drogheda

92kg Jack Marley, Monkstown BC, Dublin

92+kg Martin McDonagh, Crumlin, Dublin.

Women’s Draws

Men’s Draws

Competition Schedule

Team Ireland have landed in Sofia ahead of the opening bell of the 75^th Strandja Memorial Tournament.

The competition is a keynote event in the Irish boxing calendar, and last year attracted over 450 boxers from 38 nations. Ireland brought home three golds, for Kellie Harrington, Amy Broadhurst and Tina Desmond, and a bronze for Kelyn Cassidy.

The team includes boxers qualified for Paris 2024 – Jack Marley (92kg), Dean Clancy (63.5kg), Aoife O’Rourke (75kg) and Michaela Walsh (57kg).

Three boxers have been withdrawn through injury – 66kg Amy Broadhurst (ankle), 57kg Dylan Eagleson (hand) and 71kg Dean Walsh (back). Kellie Harrington will travel to Assisi for a multi-nations training camp.

The tournament draw takes place on Saturday afternoon, and boxing will begin on Sunday, February 4^th. Finals will be boxed on February 11^th.

High Performance Head Coach, Zauri Antia says “Strandja is a very tough tournament – last year, 38 nations competed there and we performed very strongly. This is an equally strong team, preparing to go up against some of the best boxers in the world.”

High Performance Director, Tricia Heberle, says “Strandja is a world-renowned tournament and one at which IABA has a history of contesting strongly. This is a dual focus competition – for our athletes already qualified for Paris, this is a key preparation event. For the Paris 2024 Olympic Training Squad, this is a vital development and preparation opportunity, where they will meet some of the highest-level international athletes. The preparation for this team, supported by Sport Ireland and Sport Science practitioners at Sport Institute Ireland, has been excellent, and has included a Heat Acclimatisation Camp in Tenerife, and training at the Ulster High Performance Unit, at the University of Ulster Jordanstown, as well as at our base in SII.”

Team

50kg Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s BC, Mayo

54kg Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin

57kg Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG, Belfast

66kg Lisa O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon

75kg Aoife O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon

51kg Rickey Nesbitt, Holy Family BC, Drogheda

57kg Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway

63.5kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim

71kg Eugene McKeever, Holy Family, Drogheda

92kg Jack Marley, Monkstown BC, Dublin

92+kg Martin McDonagh, Crumlin, Dublin.

Paulstown BC Head Coach, Ollie O’Neill, has passed away.

The Kilkenny man, and father of 2012 Olympian, Darren O’Neill, made a vast contribution to the Irish Boxing family. He was honoured with an IABA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, for his decades of service to boxing, and to his club, Paulstown BC. The bestowal coincided with the club’s 50th anniversary and, in a statement at that time, ceremony attendee Cllr. Denis Hayes, said “It was a great pleasure to be at the 50 years celebration of Paulstown Boxing Club last night. I remember 30 years ago Ollie organising bouts for myself and fellow local man Jimmy Dunne. You don’t feel the years going by, but I have to say Ollie along with his team has done a great job in keeping the boxing club going. Communities need people like this to keep them alive.”

The former competitive boxer, in addition to being a Head Coach, Ollie was also a Coach Developer, training and certifying the new generation of IABA coaches over a period of many years.

Tributes are being paid to Ollie from across the Boxing community today:

Ollie was a good friend of mine for many years. A complete boxing fanatic and a great, positive thinker. He was a genuine boxing person and a gentleman. We were in contact as recently as last week, and he will be sorely missed by many, not least his wife Carmel, his three sons and Paulstown BC. I want to extend to them, on behalf of the Officer Board, my deepest condolence. May he Rest in Peace.

Gerry O’Mahony, President, IABA.

Deepest condolences from all in Ulster Boxing to the O’Neill family on that loss of Ollie O’Neill. Ollie was the driving force behind Paulstown Boxing Club County Kilkenny and more notably behind his son Darren’s boxing career that saw him reach the pinnacle of sport in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Ollie was a great character and never passed by without a chat or a smile. RIP Ollie

Ulster Boxing Council

So sorry to hear the sad news that the boxing gentleman that was Ollie O’Neill Paulstown Boxing Club County Kilkenny has passed away Condolences to the entire family circle from the Donegal Boxing Family Rest Easy in your heavenly home Ollie

Peter O’Donnell, Raphoe BC and Donegal County Board.

Ollie’s son, Olympian Darren, is a member of IABA’s Board of Directors. Chair, Niall O’Carroll says, “Ollie was rightfully held in very high regard in boxing, and in his local community in Paulstown. Ollie exemplified the very best qualities of Irish boxing and leaves a lasting legacy in his club. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Darren, Carmel and the O’Neill family.

Funeral Arrangements

Ollie will lie in repose at Hehir’s Funeral Home, Kilkenny (R95 FH90) from 2p.m. on Saturday, February 3rd, concluding with Vigil Prayers and Rosary beginning at 6p.m. Ollie’s Funeral cortege will depart from Paulstown Boxing Club at 1.30p.m. on Sunday walking to the Church of the Assumption, Paulstown for 2p.m. Mass. Interment afterwards in the New Cemetery, Paulstown. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to the Motor Neuron Disease Association https://www.Imnda.ie

Messages of condolence may be left here

Team Ireland Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington visited her old primary school and her boxing club to inspire the next generation of kids to reach for their dreams.  

The Toyko 2020 Olympic Games gold medal winner took a break from her intense training schedule for this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games to tell the kids that “anything is possible if they back themselves.” 

The appearance was a Dare to Believe Community event supported by PTSB. Dare to Believe is an Olympic Federation of Ireland school’s programme that promotes Olympic values to young people, incorporating inspiring visits from Olympic ambassadors. 

Kellie Harrington said, “Having the support of PTSB in bringing this story to St. Mary’s Boxing Club meant so much to me. The club has helped me achieve my dreams, and I have no doubt that there will be children who were there who will go on to achieve their goals too. 

“As a Dare to Believe ambassador I’m passionate about sharing my story with young people and letting them know what is possible if they back themselves.”

The clubhouse was full with more than 80 excited children meeting their hero, listening to her tell her story and watching her demonstrate some of her boxing skills. 

PTSB’s Head of Retail Distribution Eddie Kearney said, “Sport and physical activity plays such an important role in the development of young people in communities across Ireland which is why PTSB is really proud to be title sponsor of Team Ireland and the Dare to Believe Schools Programme.” 

“Events like today really showcase the incredible opportunities the programme creates in introducing young people to their sporting heroes and role models. I have no doubt that these fantastic young boxers will be inspired by their interactions with an Olympic Champion, feel encouraged to believe in themselves with the backing of their coaches and strive even harder to reach their full potential,” Mr Kearney said. 

Earlier in the morning, Kellie paid a visit to her old primary school, St. Vincent’s Girls National School on North William Street to give her backing to the school’s breakfast club. St Vincent’s prepares breakfast for its students every day in ‘Kellie’s Kitchen’ – a title unofficially given to the school kitchen by principal Margaret O’Connor. 

During her visit, Kellie’s Kitchen was made official with a bright new sign outside its door. Principal O’Connor explains that the kitchen was refurbished a number of years ago because of Kellie’s support. 

“That’s how it became Kellie’s kitchen. Kellie was at the [Tokyo] Olympics then and was so busy that we never officially launched it. But we have a little photograph of her up there in the kitchen and it’s framed so it was always in our mind.” 

Principal O’Connor continues, “Kellie has a particular affinity with the kitchen, there’s a woman here called Mary Hynes, she comes in at a quarter to seven every morning to prepare breakfast, she’s a local woman and Kellie is very fond of Mary.” 

She said that the kitchen serves more than just the basic function of feeding children, it brings them together. 

“Food is a very basic thing for us, for a lot of the kids, maybe they’re not hungry when they leave home so they eat here instead, and they can have a chat and relax. We use the kitchen to improve attendance. Children really enjoy that communal aspect of eating together,” Principal O’Connor said.  

Dare to Believe Programme Manager Roisin Jones said it meant a lot to see Kellie return to the school where she spent so many years in her youth.

“This is what Dare to Believe is all about – showing kids that they too can dream big and achieve in life. You can’t underestimate the impact that these amazing Olympic ambassadors can have on young children, it creates a memorable moment for them that they will recall for years to come.” 

IABA’s almost 400 clubs are being invited to become 360 Degrees Clubs by signing the club charter and champion the message that there is room for everyone in the squared circle. IABA’s 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.

IABA Diversity and Inclusion Policy

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

For more information, contact IABA Inclusion Officer Sophie Doolan – sophie@iaba.ie

And, the campaign has the support of Tokyo Olympic champion and Paris Olympic, Kellie Harrington