Three scintilating days of boxing at the Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast, has drawn to a close.

This event, involving U23 teams from Ireland, Ulster, Hungary and England, is a key part of preparations for the 2025 European U23 Championships, taking place in Hungary in November.

Today Ireland took on Ulster in a series of exhibitions and it was England against Hungary.

Ireland V Ulster

51kg Carlagh Peake V Carleigh Irving EXB

65kg Ava Henry V Klaudia Turbucz EXB

57kg Natalia Fasciszewska beat Vitle Savickaite (LIT) – RSC2

60kg Kellie McLoughlin beat Beatrice Savickaite (LIT), 5-0

70kg Gabrielle Mongan V Caprice Coiley, EXB

60kg Rebecca Kavanagh V Ciara Craig, EXB

51kg Rachel Lawless V Petra Mezei (HUN), EXB

80kg Mikayla Kelly beat Charntay Naidoo (ENG), RSC2

50kg Louis Rooney WO

70kg Ryan Jenkins V Jon McConnell, , EXB

80kg Lily Dolling (ENG) beat Shauna Kearney, 3-2

75kg Tadgh O’Donnell V Philip Rooney, EXB

80+kg Cliona D’Arcy beat Zsofia Szira,5-0

65kg Dylan Eagleson beat Robert Csiki (HUN), 5-0

England V Hungary

48kg Lilla Szeleczki  beat Walla Ali 5-0

51kg Karmen Horvath Madi Gittins, 3-2

65kg Kaci Rock (ULS) beat Crystal Barker, 5-0

54kg Laura Horvath beat Gieona Cuedajri, 5-0

65kg Amo Singh beat Milan Petrivan, 5-0

57kg Kiera Bowden beat Nicole Clyde (ULS), 3-2

70kg Rio Gordon beat Dominik Enekes, 5-0

60kg Aya Hijazi beat Rebeka Dobos, 5-0

65kg Zaynah Casserley beat Fanni Deak, 5-0

80kg Bobby Wallace beat Balazs Kiraly, 5-0

90kg Akinola Tijani  beat Milan Kiss, 5-0

55kg Clepson dos Santos (ULS) beat Reece Readshaw, 5-0

70kg Rio Gordon beat Rafael Buza 4-1

Belfast, Northern Ireland – The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) has today voted overwhelmingly to disaffiliate from the International Boxing Association (IBA), marking a defining moment in the history of Irish boxing. The motion was passed at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in Belfast, with 81% of members present voting in favour.

This landmark decision paves the way for Ireland’s re-affiliation with the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI), ensuring that Irish boxers can continue to compete at future Olympic Games under the Irish flag.

Speaking after the vote, IABA Chairperson Niall O’Carroll hailed the decision as a testament to the strength and unity of Irish boxing clubs across the country:

“Today’s vote reflects the collective commitment of our members and clubs to protect the future of Irish boxing on the world stage. This is a historic step that secures our Olympic pathway and reaffirms our dedication to the highest standards of governance, transparency, and athlete welfare. I want to pay tribute to our clubs and volunteers, whose passion and integrity have brought us to this point.I have said all along our members will decide our future and that is true today.”

The IABA’s decision follows a period of extensive consultation and reflection among members regarding the future direction of Irish boxing at both national and international levels. By aligning with the Olympic movement’s recognised governing structures, the Association reinforces its mission to support athletes at every stage — from grassroots to the global arena.

The IABA will now work closely with the Olympic Federation of Ireland and World Boxing to ensure a smooth transition and continued success for Ireland’s boxers in upcoming international competitions.

CEO Report

IABA CEO Gary Stewart delivered a presentation reflecting on his first three months in the role and outlining his vision for the future of Irish boxing.

Gary began by sharing insights from his personal journey in sports governance, recalling his tenure with Volleyball Ireland, where he led the organisation to become National Governing Body of the Year and a Good Governance Award recipient. He emphasised that the lessons learned from that experience — building trust, strengthening governance, and driving collaboration — are directly relevant to the IABA’s next phase of development.

Reflecting on his initial months with the Association, Gary identified several key themes that will underpin the IABA’s progress:

• Clarity and Strategic Direction: He stressed the importance of setting out clear strategies and roles across all levels of the Association to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Changing Perceptions of Boxing: Gary spoke about the need to reshape how boxing is viewed — highlighting its values of discipline, respect, and community — and to showcase the sport as a positive force in society.
• Improving the National Stadium: He acknowledged the importance of upgrading and enhancing the appearance of the National Stadium, both as a symbol of Irish boxing’s heritage and as a modern, welcoming venue for athletes, members, and fans. It should be a crown jewel.
• Enhancing Systems and Support for Volunteers: Recognising the vital role of volunteers, he committed to improving the IABA’s operational systems — particularly membership software and digital tools — to make administration simpler and more efficient.
• Engagement and Communication: Gary emphasised that the IABA’s strength lies in its people, underscoring his commitment to more open, consistent, and two-way communication with clubs, members, and stakeholders.
• Pathway: Gary emphasised the need for a coherent pathway and investment in youth boxing.

In closing, he thanked the clubs and members for their ongoing commitment to Irish boxing, the warm welcome he’s received and expressed optimism about the opportunities ahead following today’s decisive steps for the sport’s Olympic and governance future.

Our thanks to scrutineers Kevin Duffy (St. Joseph’s), Alan Donnellan (Monivea) and Trish McLoughlin (St. Catherine’s) and speakers on the Ordinary Resolution: Dino Dallat Ballymote, Darren McGavin of Neilstown, Garry Fay of Phoenix of Ballyboughal, Paddy Gallagher of Maynooth BC, Charlie Toland of Ormeau Road BC and Jimmy McGrath of St. Agnes BC.

High Performance Report

Reports

Safeguarding, Anti-Doping and Financial reports were delivered as part of today’s AGM

World Champion Aoife O’Rourke has been jointly named Irish Times Sportswoman of the month for September with Orla Comerford (Athletics).

Roscommon’s Aoife O’Rourke already had an impressive medal collection before she set off for Liverpool in September, but her unanimous victory over Turkey’s Busra Isildar in the final of the 75kg division earned her the biggest prize of her career: a gold medal at the World Boxing Championships. Her triumph saw her emulate her sister Lisa’s 2022 success when she won world gold in the 70kg division.

And at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, Orla Comerford confirmed her status as one of the sport’s top sprinters, the Dubliner winning gold in the T13 100m and 200m finals. Congratulations to the joint winners of the September Sportswoman award, Aoife O’Rourke and Orla Comerford.

28 bouts were boxed on the second of three days of IABA’s U23 International Round Robin, including Team Ireland, Team Ulster, Team England and Team Hungary.

It’s a key part of preparations for the 2025 European U23 Championships, taking place in Hungary in November.

Tonight, at the Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast, Ireland took on Hungary and it was Ulster against England.

Tonight’s tally is: Ireland 11 wins, England 8, and Ulster 7, Hungary 2 wins. Across both days: England 18 wins, Ireland 15, Ulster 13 and Hungary 8

Ireland V Hungary

90+kg Matthew Williams (ENG)  beat Adam Olaniyan, 3-2

48kg Tiffany Spencer beat Lilla Szeleczki, 5-0

51kg Rachel Lawless beat Karmen Horvath, 5-0

54kg Robyn Kelly beat Laura Horvath, 5-0

65kg Milan Petrivan W/O

57kg Natalia Fasciszewska beat Panna Hippeller, 5-0

70kg Ryan Jenkins beat Dominik Enekes, 5-0

60kg Rebecca Kavanagh beat Rebeka Dobos, 5-0

50kg Louis Rooney V W/O

75kg Tadgh O’Donnell W/O

65kg Fanni Deak W/O

80kg James Whelan beat Balazs Kiraly, RSC1

80+kg Cliona D’Arcy beat Zsofia Szira, 5-0

50kg Carlagh Peake beat Petra Mezei, 5-0

85kg Bobby Wallace beat Mihaly Batori, 5-0

Ulster V England

65kg Crystal Baker (ENG) beat Klaudia Turbucz (HUN) 5-0.

51kg Caitlin Fryers beat  Madi Gittins, 5-0

60kg Jude Gallagher beat Joe Turner, 5-0

54kg Gieona Cuedajri  beat Aoife Dougan, 3-2

65kg JP Hale beat Amo Singh, 4-1

65kg Jamie Graham beat  Robert Csiki, 4-1

57kg Niamh Fay beat Kiera Bowden, 3-2

70kg Mattew McCole beat Rio Gordon, 5-0

60kg Aya Hijazi  beat Ciara Craig, 5-0

75kg Harley Burrows  beat Philip Rooney, 5-0

80kg Shauna Kearney beat Charntay Naidoo, 4-1

65kg Zaynah Casserley beat Kaci Rock, 3-2

55kg  Abdul Burton beat Clepson dos Santos, 5-0

Day Three

On Saturday, from 12.30pm, Ireland will take on Ulster, and Hungary and England will go head-to-head

All images: Mark Marlow.

34 bouts were boxed on the first of three days of IABA’s U23 International Round Robin, including Team Ireland, Team Ulster, Team England and Team Hungary.

It’s a key part of preparations for the 2025 European U23 Championships, taking place in Hungary in November.

Tonight, at the Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast, Ireland took on England, and it was Ulster against Hungary.

The final results were: Ireland 4, England 13, and Ulster 7, Hungary 6

Ireland V England: 4-13

Ulster V Hungary: 7-6

Day Two

Boxing on the second day of this Round Robin will begin at 5.30pm, and will include Ireland V Hungary, and England V Ulster.

Tickets are available on the door, and are priced at £5 for children and £10 for adults.

All schedules are subject to change. Two rings will be in operation across all sessions.