Congratulations to Liam Brereton of St. Brigids’s Boxing Club Edenderry on being named as the National Lottery Hero of the Year, for his ongoing contribution and dedication to boxing development.
Liam has made a significant impact on female boxing worldwide, and is an inspiring mentor and life coach to many athletes.
The category award winners in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards were unveiled at a gala event at the Killashee House Hotel in Naas Co. Kildare last night.
They are: Offaly’s St. Brigid’s Edenderry Boxing Club, Kerry’s Tralee Boxing Club and Waterford’s St. Paul’s Boxing Club. The National Lottery says these clubs, and their colleague county finalists across sport “promote the importance of sport, and access to it, for individuals and communities across the country”
St. Brigid’s, Edenderry additionally won through to the national finals of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2025 in the Sport category. Established in 1933, the club is home to scores of members, as well as Moscow 1980 Olympian Martin Brereton and 2018 Youth Olympian, Lauren Kelly. It also hosts numerous international sparring camps, annually. The National Lottery says the club “is one of 35 National Finalists out of hundreds of exceptional applications. This is a huge achievement as the calibre of applications in this year’s competition was truly extraordinary.”
While St. Brigid’s BC, Tralee and St. Paul’s didn’t win their respective categories, being shortlisted among so many thousands of sporting organisations speaks to their vast contributions, not only to boxing, but to their local communities and the esteem in which they are held.
The Irish Boxing Family is mourning the passing of the Voice of Irish Boxing, Peter O’Donnell – the man whose dulcet and distinctive tones called tens of thousands of boxers to the ring in the home of Irish Boxing, and unveiled many thousands as IABA champions.
Peter has given decades of service to boxing, as a founder member of his beloved Raphoe Boxing Club, and as an elected official of Donegal County Board, where he was the serving President, and of Ulster Boxing Council. He is survived by Pauline; his children Rory (Orla), Edel (Donal), and Paul (Holly); his grandchildren Caolin, Ryan, Amber, Zoe, Harper, Luca, and Gracie; his sisters and brothers Mary, Willie, Jim, Hugo, Paul, Marjory, Sally, and Grainne; his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and all his extended family and friends.
Peter also represented Ireland on the international stage – was the joint Team Ireland Manager for the Monkstown International Box Cup in July, and he wa Team Manager for the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He led Team Ireland at the 2021 AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Belgrade and was previously team manager at the 2015 European Elite Championships in Bulgaria.
Peter is, rightfully, held in high regard in his native Donegal, and is a multiple winner of Donegal Sports Star awards, including Team Manager of the Year and community appreciation accolades.
Tributes are being paid to Peter from across the Boxing Family.
IABA President, Anto Donnelly says ” Peter was the epitome of Irish Boxing – incredibly dedicated, devoted to his sport at club, county, provincial and national level. A kind and gentle man who gave decades of service to the sport he loved so well, with a vast store of knowledge of boxing lore. His voice was the Voice of Irish Boxing, and MC’d thousands of bouts across the decades. He will be terribly missed – on behalf of Central Council and the Irish Boxing Family, I extended my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace”
His club, Raphoe BC, Donegal, says “Our Dear Friend, Club President, Member of the Donegal Boxing Board and Founder of Raphoe Boxing Club “Mr Boxing” Peter ODonnell passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning, surrounded by his loving Family at home in Raphoe, after a short illness.
Peter travelled the world for his love of Boxing, he was part of the Ireland Management Team, you would hear him mc at local, Ulster & Dublin Championships. You will be sorely missed Peter by the Boxing Family. Our sincere condolences to his Wife Pauline, Daughter Edel, Sons Rory and Paul, Son & Daughters in law, Grandchildren and extended Family and Friends.”
Ulster Boxing Council says “Devastating news this morning as boxing lost one of the greats. Legend is a word that is fired about very loosely at times but in every sense of the word Peter O Donnell was a Donegal, Ulster and Irish boxing legend.
Known for his infectious personality, quiet demeanour, invaluable boxing knowledge but most distinctly his world famous voice theres not a boxer in the country who doesn’t know and love Peter. Peter was a founding member of the Raphoe boxing club in Donegal, the current Donegal board president and Ulster boxing council member. His many years in the sport spanned many horizons as a coach, official, officer and team manager for many many boxers and teams.
Peters voice would be iconic throughout the country championed each boxer whether the won or lost. Peter would move on to be officer on the Donegal board (current president) member of the Ulster boxing council and become the first person from Donegal to be elected on to the IABA central council topping the overall poll showing his popularity throughout the whole country. Peter was team manager through every level of boxing right up to senior/elite World and European championships. Peter will sorely be missed by his wife and loving family, all at Raphoe boxing club and all in Ulster and Irish Boxing. RIP Peter O Donnell.”
Team Ireland’s European U15 Championship team, currently contesting in Budva, Montengro, have shared their sorrow at Peter’s passing through Team Manager, Stephen Connolly “Mr. Peter O’Donnell was the voice of Irish Boxing. A gentleman to all who knew him. The Team, including boxers, coaches and my co-Team Manager Bridget Scott, extend our condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace”
Beijing Olympian and silver medalist, Kenneth Egan says “Very sad, Peter was a boxing man to the core. He loved the National Stadium and will be part of its history for many years.”
Funeral Arrangements
The family home is private today, Sunday, October 19th. Peter will repose at his late residence on:
Monday, 20th October, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 21st October, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Rosary will be recited each evening at 9:00 p.m.
The funeral cortege will leave his late residence on Wednesday morning, 22nd October, at 10:00 a.m., travelling via The Boxing Club and The Diamond to St. Eunan’s Church, Raphoe, for 11:00 a.m. Requiem Mass, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Extra parking available at SOS Tyres F93R6KW
Family flowers only please donations in lieu if desired to Irish Cancer Society c/o any family member or Kelly’s Funeral Directors, Oakfield Raphoe.
Team Ireland has opened its account at the European U15 Championships in Montenegro in decisive fashion, recording 5 wins and bringing home a medal.
Team Co-Captain 63kg Roisin Hegarty is assured of at least a bronze medal. The draw placed her opening bout at quarter final stage, and was dominant throughout, recording a 3rd round RSC win over Mia Aleksa of Croatia. Roisin will vie to up-grade her medal in her semi-final on Thursday against Turkey’s Ivana Kilci
48kg Macie Duffy O’Connor opened her ccount at Last 16 stage with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Spain’s Irene Romero Bolanos. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27; 29:28; 29:28; 30:27. Macie is back in action on Tuesday, boxing for a medal against Turkey’s Yagmur Coskun, who was the victor over Azerbaijan in her opening bout.
54kg Charley Scott has won her debut today bout, and bagged a place in the quarter finals. She was the 4-1 split decision winner over over Dorina Varga of Hungary. Judges scored the bout 27:29; 27:30; 27:30; 29:28; 27:30. Charley boxes for a medal on Tuesday, against Rozalie Uhrova of the Czech Republic
Team Ireland Co-Captain 48kg Zac Creighton has opened his European U15 Championship campaign in style, with a 4-1 split decision win over Turkey’s Miraç Kilic – the final scores: 30:27; 30:27; 28:29; 29:28; 30:27. Zac is back in action in the Last 16 tomorrow.
46kg Kenia Flood Prado is through to the quarter finals following an RSCi win over Azerbaijan’s Aysan Miriyeva Kenia will box for a medal on Tuesday, against Poland’s Amelia Joachimiska. While 40kg John Sweeney but in a valiant performance in his Round of 32 bout . He contested against Ukraine’s David Horvat in a high-tempo bout – the 5-0 decision went to his opponent. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 29:28
369 boxers including 131 girls and 138 boys from 32 nations will be competing in this record-breaking European U15 Boxing Championships. The participating federations are: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine
Day Two
Four Team Ireland boxers are in action on day two of the championships. Three sessions will be boxed on Sunday – beginning at 11am, 1.30pm and 5.30pm.
42kg Ronan Charles, Mullingar Elite BC, Westmeath is the first Irish boxer in action today in a preliminary bout against Finland’s Rolan Sigajlev. That’s Bout 4 of the Morning Session.
44kg Pa Casey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry also begins his tournament today, against Latvia’s Silvestrs Vasilevskis. He’s in action in Bout 5 of the Afternoon Session.
4 bouts later, in Bout 9, 48kg Zac Creighton contests his Last 16 bout against Luka Bondarenko of Latvia.
And 50kg Franky Mooney, Banbridge BC, Antrim, who had a bye to the Last 16, and will box Tobias Vicenik of the Czech Republic in Bout 19 of the Evening Session
5 Team Ireland boxers feature in the first ever World Boxing rankings, published today.
IABA was ratified as a member of World Boxing in May, following a decision by clubs in April of this year to affiliate to the International Federation which will operate boxing at the Olympic Games, all qualifying tournaments, the Youth Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.
The World Boxing rankings will be used to determine seedings at World Boxing’s major Elite competitions, including the World Boxing Championships, Continental Boxing Championships, Multi-Sport Games, World Boxing Cup Finals and others.
The competitions that contributed to this first set of rankings are:
Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Under PBU regulations)
World Boxing Cup Finals – Sheffield, England 2024
World Boxing Challenge – Tammer Tampere, Finland 2024
World Boxing Cup – Foz do Iguazu, Brazil 2025
World Boxing Challenge – Usti, Czechia 2025
World Boxing Cup – Astana, Kazakhstan 2025
World Boxing Championships – Liverpool, England 2025
75kg World champion, Aoife O’Rourke, is the top ranked boxer in her category, having clocked up 1,500 points. Her sister, Lisa, who contests at 70kg, is ranked 6th in the world in her weight division, with 300 points, while World Boxing Championship bronze medalist, 65kg Grainne Walsh, is 6th with 600 points.
Of the Team Ireland men, World Boxing Championship 55kg bronze medalist, Patsy Joyce, is 6th on 600 points – and heavyweight, Jack Marley, is 6th in his division, on 375 points.
The World Boxing rankings will be used to determine seedings at World Boxing’s major Elite competitions, including the World Boxing Championships, Continental Boxing Championships, Multi-Sport Games, World Boxing Cup Finals and others.
This comeptition, for boxers aged 13 and 14, is the inaugural championships held by World Boxing’s European confederation, European Boxing. These championships are being hosted by the Montenegro Federation, which has recently hosted the 2024 World Youth Championships and the 2022 Women’s European Championships.
40kg Ellie May Featherson of Mulhuddart BC, Dublin has a bye and begins her tournament at quarter finals stage on Tuesday against the winner of the preliminary between the Czech Republic and Poland. 42kg Rosetta Casey, Portlaoise BC, Loais also has a bye, and will box Poland’s Alicja Laniecka on Tuesday for a place in the semis.
44kg Ava Harford, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin begins her campaign at quarter final stage in a weight of 8 boxers. She meets Hungary’s Viktória Nagy on Tuesday in her opening bout. 52kg Ellie Curtain Murray, Golden Gloves BC, Cork takes on Chanel Pascali of Italy in her QF on Tuesday – on the same day, 60kg Maicey Field, Baldoyle BC, Dublin meets Israel’s Sendy Tayber.
42kg Ronan Charles, Mullingar Elite BC, Westmeath is first in action on Sunday, in a preliminary bout against Finland’s Rolan Sigajlev. 44kg Pa Casey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry also begins his tournament on the second day of competition, against Latvia’s Silvestrs Vasilevskis.
50kg Franky Mooney, Banbridge BC, Antrim has a bye to the Last 16, and will box on Sunday against the winner of the bout between Czech Republic and Bosnia & Herzegovina. 52kg Patrick Hourican, Sean Doran’s BC, Armagh also has a bye to the Last 16 stage – he’ll take on Martin Aron Martin Homai of Hungary on Monday. 57kg Kieran McDonagh, Olympic BC, Galway is through to the Last 16 by way of a bye – he will open his account on Monday against Israel’s Mokbel Kadry.
63kg Charlie Joyce Connolly, Jobstown BC, Dublin has a bye to the quarter finals stage, and takes on Danas Sestakovas of Lithania in his opening bout on Thursday. 66kg Eddie Sweeney, Galway BC is in preliminaries action against Tadeas Jasek of Czech Republin on Monday, while 75kg Thomas O’Reilly, Portlaoise BC, Loais has a bye to the quarter finals – he takes on England’s Levi Valler on Wednesday.
The Opening Ceremony has taken place this evening, and the flag was flown for Ireland by Team Co-Captains Zac Creighton and Roisin Hegarty, both of whom begin their campaigs on Saturday. Team Ireland is being led by Team Managers, National Registrar, Stephen Connolly of Ballymore Hollywood Boxing Club and Bridget Scott of Glengormley BC. The team’s coaches are John Coffey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry; Paul Simson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford; Tommy O’Donnell, Charleville BC, Cork and Lynne McEnery, High Performance Unit. IABA has appointed Karl McLoughlin, St. Catherine’s BC, Dublin as R&J.
369 boxers including 131 girls and 138 boys from 32 nations will be competing in this record-breaking European U15 Boxing Championships.
The participating federations are: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine
6 Team Ireland boxers are in action on the opening day of the tournament. Just one ring is in operation in each session.
48kg Macie Duffy O’Connor, Cabra BC, Dublin opens her account against Spain’s Irene Romero Bolanos in Bout 3 of the Afternoon Session.
In Bout 9 of the same session, 54kg Charley Scott, St Catherine’s BC, Dublin gets her championships underway against Dorina Varga of Hungary.
Team Co-Captain 48kg Zac Creighton, Avona BC, Dublin, steps between the ropes against Turkey’s Miraç Kilic in Bout 12.
In the Evening Session, 46kg Kenia Flood Prado takes on Azerbaijan’s Aysan Miriyeva in Bout 6. While Team Co-Captain 63kg Roisin Hegarty, Twin Towns BC, Donegal, begins her campaign against Mia Aleksa of Croatia in Bout 13.
In Bout 17, 40kg John Sweeney, Olympic BC, Galway takes on Ukraine’s David Horvat
