Team Ireland will return from the 2025 European U19 Championships in the Czech Republic with 5 medals – 3 silver and 2 bronze.

Ireland finished 6th out of 33 federations in the medals standings. Ukraine topped the table with 12, followed by England with 6.

Grace Conway took on England’s Lianne Wise in the 57kg final, and didn’t climb to the top of the podium on narrowest possible margin, a 3-2 split. Judges scored the bout : 29:28; 29:28; 27:30; 28:29; 29:28. Grace made it to today’s final with wins over Czech Republic’s Julie Polednikova, Italy’s Martina di Felice and Romania’s Elise Mirela Cojocaru

While 60kg Sean McCusker took on Georgia’s Luka Chkhikvadze. Sean’s route to the final included wins over England’s Isaac Huczmann, Estonia’s Aleksandr Jivoloup and Finland’s Aapo Rovanper. His final ended in a 4-0 decision. Judges scored the bout 29:28; 29:28; 27:30; 28:29; 29:28

65kg John Donoghue was withdrawn from his final by the team’s leadership, in consultation with John, his club and his family.

Grace, Sean and John all received their silver medals today, while Kayleigh Byrne and Nessa Tabachuk were bestowed with their bronze medals.

48kg Chloe Cox, 51kg Kayleigh Byrne, 70kg Katelyn Butler and 75kg Nessa Tabachuk both exited the tournament to the eventual champion. 50kg Kurt Kinsella and 85kg Chulainn McDonnell went out to the eventual champions in their weights. 90kg Shay O’Dowd and 75kg Jason Whelan to the bronze medalist in their weights.

105 female and 189 male boxers from 33 nations competed in Ostrava. The participating nations are: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.

There has been key developmental sparring for post competition Team Ireland boxers on the margins of the tournament, including against Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Norway, Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium and Greece.

The team returns from Ostrava on Friday.

Team Ireland

48kg Chloe Cox, Setanta BC, Co. Kildare

50kg Kurt Kinsella, Monkstown BC Dublin

51kg Kayleigh Byrne, Gorey BC, Co. Wexford

55kg Michael Reilly. St. Paul’s BC, Co. Waterford

57kg Grace Conway, Tredagh BC, Co. Louth

60kg Sean McCusker, Dealgan BC, Co. Louth

65kg John Donoghue, Olympic BC, Co. Westmeath

70kg Katelyn Butler, St. Colman’s BC Co. Cork

70kg Patrick Kelly, St. Abban’s/Kilmyshall BC Co. Wexford

75kg Nessa Tabachuk, Celtic Eagles BC, Co. Galway

75kg Jason Whelan, Dublin Docklands BC

85kg Chulainn McDonnell, Whitechurch BC, Dublin

90kg Shay O’Dowd, Swords BC Dublin

Support staff:

Team Manager: Jennifer O’Sullivan, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry

Coaches: Liam Cunningham, Saints ABC, Belfast; Ralph McKay, St. Paul’s BC, Belfast; Aoife Hennigan. Swinford BC, Co. Mayo; Garry Keogh, Marble City BC, Co. Kilkenny

Registration for the AGM of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association closes today, Thursday, at 2pm. The AGM will take place at 10:30am or shortly thereafter, on Saturday, October 11th at the Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast BT146EG.

The agenda, in full, is available here

Letter from the Chair

IABA Board of Directors Chair, Niall O’Carroll, is sharing this letter with all members, clubs, county boards and provincial units. This sets out the rationale for the Ordinary Resolution before the members, and shares information on a the Boxing Congress which will give every member of every club the opportunity to debate, exchange ideas and elevate our sport.

Ordinary Resolution

“That, on foot of the overwhelming vote (99%)  at the EGM to join World boxing that the members resolve that it is for the good of boxing in Ireland to disaffiliate with the International Boxing Association (IBA) and to affiliate solely with World Boxing and to give effect to same in the Rules and administration documents in IABA.”

Annual Report and Financial Statement

Registration

All clubs successfully affiliated for the 2025/2026 season are entitled to attend the AGM, and may send two delegates – one to be voting, and one non-voting delegate.  

Delegates nominated by clubs must verified members – this means they must be included in the club’s affiliation application, through Blocworx, for the 2025/2026 season as members and be over the age of 18. *Please note, delegates will be required to present photographic identification (passport, drivers’ licence, etc) on the day of the AGM. Registration will close at 2pm on Thursday October 9th.

Successfully affiliated clubs may register here: https://shout.com/s/XZpp2Msp

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) International U23 round robin begins in Belfast this evening – its a key part of preparations for the World Boxing European U23 Championships in Hungary in November.

National U23 teams from Hungary and England, and an Ulster Select, will go up against Team Ireland in 6 sessions of boxing across October 9^th to 11^th, at the Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6EG

In all, over 70 boxers will step between the ropes – with 80 bouts down for decision.

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.

Thursday, Oct 9 | Ring A, 5pm | IRL V ENG

Thursday, Oct 9 | Ring B, 5pm | ULS V HUN

Friday, Oct 10 | Session One, Ring A, 5pm | IRL V HUN

Friday, Oct 10 | Session One, Ring B, 5pm | ULS V HUN

Saturday, Oct 11 | Session One, Ring A, 12pm | IRL V Ulster Select

Saturday, Oct 11 | Session One, Ring B, 12pm | ENG V HUN

High Performance Director Jon Mackey says “Development opportunities like this are vital for the progression of Irish boxing, and this round robin is a key part of Team Ireland’s preparations for the inaugural World Boxing European U23 Championships. We have a strong team, and pre-championship competition against teams like Hungary, England and an Ulster Select will only serve to further enhance preparations.” And, Jon adds “ We’re delighted to be back in Belfast, after June’s National Elite Competition. The Girdwood is a superb venue and Belfast City Council’s support is invaluable – as is that of the Ulster Boxing Council led by Kevin Duffy and the Antrim County Board, led by Paddy Barnes.  Our thanks, also to Central Council, led by President Anto Donnelly and the Officer Board, for their ongoing support.

IABA President, Anto Donnelly, says “This has been an exceptional year for boxer development through internationals across the Association. We have welcomed teams from Wales, France and India to compete at Youth internationals, a team from Austria at Elite level, and now Hungary, England and an Ulster Select. Hosting seven internationals in six months across two critical age categories speaks to how committed we are to getting Irish Boxing to top of international podiums. These internationals are also impossible without the contribution and expertise of volunteers at club level and also officials at weigh-ins, Referees and Judges, as technical officials. I thank each and every one of them for their dedication”

Ulster President, Kevin Duffy says ”We are thrilled to welcome Team Ireland, Hungary and England to Belfast what will be a truly momentous occasion for Belfast and for Irish sport. I’m also looking forward to cheering on the Ulster Select as they step between the ropes against national teams. This prestigious event marks a significant milestone, celebrating the strength, talent, and dedication of Ireland’s finest amateur boxers on a stage that reflects the passion and pride of Belfast’s boxing heritage. As a city long known for producing champions and fostering a deep love for the sport, it is an honour to welcome national teams as they prepare for the European U23 Championships . We extend a warm welcome to all athletes, coaches, and supporters, and look forward to witnessing an unforgettable showcase of skill, spirit, and sportsmanship. Thank you to Paddy Barnes, President of the Antrim Boxing Board and Liam Corr for helping to secure this event and we look forward to working in partnership with Central Council to ensure this truly is a memorable sporting occasion.”

Antrim President, Paddy Barnes Snr. ‘This round robin represents another great event for boxing in Belfast and one we are privileged to host in our great city. Belfast has a rich boxing history with over half of Irelands Olympic boxing medals (9) coming from Belfast, we hope to see the next batch of potential Olympic medalists on show. With support from the Belfast City Council and or Belfast Boxing Strategy, we can’t wait to host this historic event”

Two more Team Ireland boxers have won through to the finals of the 2025 European U19 Championships in the Czech Republic.

57kg Grace Dowling is assured of at least a silver medal following a dominant performance in Ostrava this afternoon . She was the 5-0 winner over Romania’s Elise Mirela Cojocaru in her semi final.The judges scored the bout 28:26; 28:26, 28:26, 28:26, 28:26.

65kg John Donoghue has won a silver medal, following his semi-final against Greece’s Emmanouil Fotiadis, which ended in the first round following the Greek boxer’s disqualification. John’s opponent was disqualified for a blow to the back of John’s head. John was assessed at ringside by the tournament’s medical staff, and required no further treatment. The team leadership, in consultation with John, his club and his family, have decided to withdraw him from tomorrow’s finals to safeguard his wellbeing and his future career.

Team Co-Captain 51kg Kayleigh Byrne will return on Friday with bronze. She boxed a superb semi-final against 2024 World & European Youth champ, England’s Ruby White. The 5-0 decision went to the English boxer. The judges scored the bout 29:28; 29:28; 30:27; 29:28; 30:27. 75kg Nessa Tabachuk returns from the European U19 Championship with bronze, following her semi final against Italy’s Miriam di Savino. The 5-0 decision went to the Italian boxer. The final scores: 27: 30, 27: 30, 27: 30, 27: 30, 27: 30.

105 female and 189 male boxers from 33 nations are competiting in Ostrava. The participating nations are: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.

There has been key developmental sparring for post competition Team Ireland boxers on the margins of the tournament, including against Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Norway, Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium and Greece.

Finals

60kg Sean McCusker, of Dealgan BC, Louth, will face Georgia’s Luka Chkhikvadze having recorded wins during this championship over England’s Isaac Huczmann, Estonia’s Aleksandr Jivoloup and Finland’s Aapo Rovanper. Sean steps between the ropes in Bout 7 of the Afternoon Session, at around 2.30pm.

57kg Grace Conway, of Tredagh BC, Louth, will box for gold against England’s Lianne Wise, having recorded victories over Czech Republic’s Julie Polednikova, Italy’s Martina di Felice and Romania’s Elise Mirela Cojocaru. Grace is in action in Bout 2 of the Evening Session, at approximately 5.15pm.

The finals progamme is available here

Watch

The tournament is being live-streamed by the Czech Boxing Federation on its YouTube channel HERE. Links, per ring and session, will become available on the day of boxing

Team Ireland

48kg Chloe Cox, Setanta BC, Co. Kildare

50kg Kurt Kinsella, Monkstown BC Dublin

51kg Kayleigh Byrne, Gorey BC, Co. Wexford

55kg Michael Reilly. St. Paul’s BC, Co. Waterford

57kg Grace Conway, Tredagh BC, Co. Louth

60kg Sean McCusker, Dealgan BC, Co. Louth

65kg John Donoghue, Olympic BC, Co. Westmeath

70kg Katelyn Butler, St. Colman’s BC Co. Cork

70kg Patrick Kelly, St. Abban’s/Kilmyshall BC Co. Wexford

75kg Nessa Tabachuk, Celtic Eagles BC, Co. Galway

75kg Jason Whelan, Dublin Docklands BC

85kg Chulainn McDonnell, Whitechurch BC, Dublin

90kg Shay O’Dowd, Swords BC Dublin

Support staff:

Team Manager: Jennifer O’Sullivan, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry

Coaches: Liam Cunningham, Saints ABC, Belfast; Ralph McKay, St. Paul’s BC, Belfast; Aoife Hennigan. Swinford BC, Co. Mayo; Garry Keogh, Marble City BC, Co. Kilkenny

IABA and the NSPCC are celebrating Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week, which honours that the part a parent/guardian and carer plays in their child’s sport can have a big impact on their child’s wellbeing and how they feel about sport.

As part of the NSPCC’s campaign, it has made available resources to assist clubs in supporting the parent-coach relationship – a guidance document is here

The NSPCC has also shared guidance on:

• How to improve parental involvement in your club – recommendations for coaches
• Negotiating the post-game conversation – guidance on feedback
• How can you get involved in your child’s club? – guidance for parents

Additional Supports for Parents

If a parent/guardian is worried about anything that may cause harm to their child’s wellbeing, they can always contact the NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk 

You can contact IABA’s National Safeguarding Manager, Stephen Flynn via +353 86 074 8867 or stephen@iaba.ie  or Liam Corr, (IABA Ulster Safeguarding Manager) via liam.corr@iaba.ie 0044-7841-470301.