There are 7 days left for member clubs to register to attend the AGM of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association. 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

Team Ireland came away with two wins on day two of the European U19 Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Co-Captain Kayleigh Byrne, has won through to the quarter finals – she was the 3-2 victor over Turkey’s Emine Kilinc. The final score: 29:28, 29:28, 28:29, 28:29, 29:28. Kayleigh, who contests at 51kg, will box for a medal on Sunday against home boxer, Czech Republic’s Adela Sanislova.

She’ll be joined on Sunday by 57kg Grace Conway. Grace contested her last 16 bout against Italy’s Martina di Felice and was the 4-1 winner, on a scoreline of 29:28, 28:29,28:29,28:29,28:29. Grace also faces home opposition in the hunt for a podium finish, in the form of Julie Polednikova.

Not to be for Team Ireland’s Kurt Kinsella. The 50kg boxer put in a valiant effort in his Last 16 bout against Azerbaijan’s Bilalhabasi Nazarov – the 5-0 decision went to his opponent. Judges scored the bout 27:30, 27:30, 27:30, 27:30, 27:30. And a brave performance by Michael Reilly. The 55kg boxer boxed his bout against Yanko Metodiev Illiev of Bulgaria – the 4-1 split decision went to his opponent, and the final score was:

105 female and 189 male boxers from 33 nations are competiting. 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.

Day Three

Three members of the team return for the second bouts of the tournament on Thursday, and all are in Last 16 action.

60kg Sean McCusker, who got his campaign underway on Tuesday with a 4-1 split decision win over England’s Isaac Suwit Huczmann, contests against Estonia’s Aleksandr Jivoloup in Bout 3 of Ring A’s Afternoon Session.

65kg John Donoghue opened his account in style. He was the decisive unanimous decision winner over Albania’s Juren Lazri and is back in action in Bout 2 of Ring B’s Afternoon Session, in Last 16 action against Romania’s Soren Segardi

Jason Whelan boxed his 75kg Last 32 bout against Brendon Berki of Hungary, and came away with a 5-0 win and progression to the Last 16. He contests against Bulgaria’s Sami Hisham Hashem Khalil for a place in the quarter finals – that’s Bout 3 of Ring B’s Evening Session.

Day Three’s programme 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

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) today announces that Niall O’Carroll has stepped down from his position as Chairperson. Niall will join Rowing Ireland as their new Performance Director.

Since his appointment, Niall has provided strong leadership and unwavering commitment to Irish boxing during a time of significant change and development within the organisation. His guidance has been instrumental in advancing governance reforms, and strengthening the structures that underpin the sport’s success at all levels. This includes three key appointments in recent months including that of Gary Stewart as Chief Executive Officer, Jon Mackey as Performance Director, and Clare McAuley as Chief Operations Officer.

The IABA wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Niall for his dedication, professionalism, and service to the boxing community. His contributions have left a positive mark on the organisation, and he departs with the respect and best wishes of the Board, staff, and wider boxing family.

Speaking on his decision, Niall O’Carroll said: “It has been an honour to serve as Chairperson of the IABA and to contribute to the continued growth of Irish boxing. I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that the association is well positioned for the future. I wish the Board, the athletes, coaches, and all involved in Irish boxing every success in the years ahead.”

The IABA has began the process of appointing a new Chairperson in line with its governance procedures and will ensure a smooth transition in leadership.

Central Council has confirmed the dates and weights for two key competitions.

2026 National Elite Championships

Dates: January 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th & 17th, 2026

Year of Birth: 1985 – 2006

Male Weights: 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, 90+kg

Female Weights: 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 80+kg

2025 National Intermediate Championships

Dates:  November 21st, 22nd, 23rd , 28th, 29th, 30th

Year of Birth: 1985 – 2006

Male Weights: 47kg, 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, 90+kg

Female Weights: 45kg, 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 80+kg

Team Ireland have recorded three opening day wins at the European U19 Champonships in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

60kg Sean McCusker was the first of four boxers in action today, contesting gainst England’s Isaac Suwit Huczmann, winning by 4-1 split decision. Judges scored the bout 30:27, 28:29, 28:29, 27:30, 27: 30. Sean is next in action, in the Last 16, against Estonia’s Aleksandr Jivoloup on Thursday.

A decisive opening win for Team Ireland’s Jason Whelan He boxed his 75kg Last 32 bout against Brendon Berki of Hungary, and comes away with a 5-0 win. A point was deducted from the Hungarian for holding and the final scores were: 25:30, 25:30, 25:30, 26:30, 26:30. Jason is through to the Last 16 and is next in action on Thursday, against Bulgaria’s Sami Hisham Hashem Khalil.

Team Ireland’s 65kg John Donoghue opened his account at the championships in style. He was the decisive unanimous decision winner over Albania’s Juren Lazri – 27:30, 27:30, 27:30, 27:30,27:30. John is back in action on Thursday, in Last 16 action against Norway’s Eldar Redzic

Not to be on this occasion for Team Ireland Co-Captain, 70kg Patrick Kelly. He put in a robust performance in the Last 32 against Romania’s Daniel Adrian Grigorie. The 5-0 decision went to the Romanian boxer on a scoreline of 29:27, 29:27, 30:26, 29:27, 29:27.

105 female and 189 male boxers from 33 nations are competiting. 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.

Day Two

51kg Kayleigh Byrne of Gorey BC, Co. Wexford is in a Last 16 bout against Turkey’s Emine Kilinc in Bout 10 of Ring A’s Afternoon Session.

57kg Grace Conway, of Tredagh BC, Co. Louth is in Last 16 action against Italy’s Martina di Felice in Bout 3 of Ring B’s Evening Session. In Bout 10 in the same ring and session, 55kg Michael Reilly of St. Paul’s BC, Co. Waterford contests his first bout against Yanko Metodiev Illiev of Bulgaria

50kg Kurt Kinsella of Monkstown BC Dublin takes on Azerbaijani opposition in his opening contest in Bout 10 of Ring A’s Evening Session. He begins at Last 16 stage in a division of 15 boxers, contesting against Bilalhabasi Nazarov on October 1st.

Programme

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