The finals pairings for the culmination of the first ever IABA competition contested at World Boxing weights have been decided, and there are some scintillating matches.

The competition is being held at World Boxing weights and will be a factor in selecting the Team Ireland team to contest the World Boxing World Championships in Liverpool, September 4^th to 14^th .It is a collaboration between Central Council and the High Performance Unit, with the invaluable support of Ulster Provincial Council, Antrim County Board and Belfast City Council.

Double Olympian and 2022 Commonwealth Games champ 57kg Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG) has won her semi-final over Niamh Fay (Phoenix of Ballyboughal, Dublin), and set up a finals meeting with

Kelsey Leonard of Unit 3 BC, Naas

The women’s lightweight final will be a battle between 2024 Elite silver medalist, Zara Breslin (Tramore BC, Waterford) and Isabella Hughes (St Marys Dublin). 65kg Kaci Rock (Holy Trinity, Belfast) has set up a finals clash with Paris Olympian Grainne Walsh, following her 4-0 win over Linda Desmond of Rylane BC, Cork, this evening.

The Men’s 65kg final will be between Paris Olympian Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim) and Jason Nevin (Olympic Mullingar). 2022 World champ and 2025 World silver medalist, Lisa O’Rourke, will box her final against Evelyn Igharo, after claiming an RSC1 win this evening.

Tadhg O’Donnell (Four Kings, Wicklow), in his first competition at Elite level, has won through to the 75kg National Elite Competition final, by way of by way of 1st Round KO over Josh Olaniyan (Jobstown, Dublin) Tadgh will box his final tomorrow against Gavin Rafferty (Dublin Docklands)

Rounding out tomorrow’s finals will be the meeting at superheavy of Martin McDonagh (Galway) and reigning World Youth champion, Adam Olaniyan (Jobstown BC Dublin). This will be Adam’s first contest at Elite level.

Four- time continental champion and double Olympian, Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea BC), is a walk-over champion, as are 80kg Mikayla Kelly of Sacred Heart BC Tolerton and 80+kg Cliona D’Arcy (Tobar Pheadair BC)

Results

57kg   Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG) beat Niamh Fay (Ballyboughal), 5-0

60kg   Isabella Hughes (St Marys D) beat Ciara Craig (Glengormley), 5-0

60kg   Zara Breslin (Tramore) beat Michelle Lynch (Geesala), 5-0

65kg   Grainne Walsh (St Marys D) W/O

65kg   Kaci Rock (Holy Trinity, Antrim) beat Linda Desmond (Rylane, Cork), 4-0

65kg   Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott, Co. Leitrim) beat Johnny Harty (Portlaoise, Co. Laois), 5-0

65kg   Jason Nevin (Olympic Mullingar) beat Cian Cramer (Cabra BC, Dublin)              , 5-0

70kg   Lisa O’Rourke (Castlerea BC, Roscommon) beat Tiffany O’Reilly (Portlaoise, Co. Laois), RSC1

70kg   Evelyn Igharo (Clann Naofa, Louth) W/O

75kg   Gavin Rafferty (Dublin Docklands) beat Jack Brady (Crumlin), 5-0

75kg   Tadhg O’Donnell (Four Kings) beat Josh Olaniyan (Jobstown), KO R1

80kg   Ryan Collins Murphy (St Monicas, Down ) beat Kevin Osagbokan Osifo (Cherry Orchard, Dublin), 4-1

80kg   Kelyn Cassidy (Saviours Crystal, Waterford) beat James Whelan (Dublin Docklands), 3-2

85kg   Brian Kennedy (St Brigids Edenderry) W/O

85kg   Jason Clancy (Sean McDermott, Leitrim) beat Anthony Taggart (Ormeau Road, Antrim), 5-0

National Elite Competition Finals Programme

Boxing begins at 6pm at Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, Antrim, BT14 GEG.

Tickets are available on the door; cash only,

All programmes are subject to change

It was a scintillating night in Belfast, were Olympians, Elite championships and European medalists went toe-to-toe at the 2025 National Elite Competition – taking place in consideration of selection for the World Boxing World Championships, September 4-14, 2025

Down for decision this evening were semi-finals at 5 weights, and Men’s 65kg quarter finals.

It’s a home final at men’s 50kg – Scott Thompson (Spartans BC, Belfast, will take on reigning European U23 & Irish Elite champ, Louis Rooney of Star BC, Belfast. Thompson recorded a 3-2 split decision win over Sean Mari (Monkstown, Dublin)

It’ll be Antrim Vs Wicklow in the women’s 51kg final….. 2022 European silver medalist, 51kg Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata) has set up a meeting on Thursday with Paris Olympian, Daina Moorehouse, following her RSC3 win over Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk BC Cok) in this evening’s semis. Moorehouse was the 4-1 winner over 2024 European 50kg champ, Shannon Sweeney (St. Anne’s, Mayo)

2024 European U23 bronze medalist, 54kg Robyn Kelly (Ballynacargy BC Westmeath), has set up a finals meeting with Paris Olympian, Jenny Lehane (DCU BC). Robyn was the 3-2 victor over Chloe Gabriel (Dublin Docklands) while Jenny recorded a unanimous decision win over Nicole Clyde (Antrim BC).

Adam Hession (Monivea BC, Galway)  will contest his final against Jamie Graham (Clonard Belfast). Both men recorded unanimous decision victories over their opponents Jordan O’Donnell (St Georges BC Belfast ) and Rory Lavery (Holy Family GG Belfast), respectively 5-0

All of this evening’s Men’s 65kg bouts were quarter finals: Paris Olympian, Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott) secured a 5-0 win over Anthony Malanaphy (Erne BC), and will contest his semi-final against Johnny Harty (Portlaoise BC), who was the 4-1 victor over Gianni Richmond (Cairn Lodge BC).  Cian Cramer (Cabra BC ) awaits Jason Nevin (Olympic BC Mullingar) after a barnstormer of a bout against John Paul Hale (Star). Cramer was the 4-1 victor, and Nevin on a 3-2 scoreline.

In the Men’s 70kg semi finals, Matthew McCole (Illie GG) booked his place in the finals with a 5-0 win over JoJo McArdle (Holy Trinity ABC). He’ll meet Eugene McKeever (Holy Family Drogheda), the 5-0 victor over Cahir Gormley (Illies G/Gloves)

Remaining semi-finals, including Men’s 65kg, will be boxed at the Girdwood Community Hub from 6pm on Wednesday evening.

1. 50kg   Scott Thompson (Spartans A)  beat Sean Mari (Monkstown D), 3-2
2. 50kg   Louis Rooney (Star), W/O
3. 51kg   Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry) beat Shannon Sweeney (St Annes), 4-1
4. 51kg   Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata) beat Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk), RSC3
5. 54kg   Robyn Kelly (Ballynacargy) beat Chloe Gabriel (Dublin Docklands), 3-2
6. 54kg   Jennifer Lehane (DCU Athletic) beat Nicole Clyde (Antrim), 5-0
7. 60kg   Adam Hession (Monivea)  beat Jordan O’Donnell (St Georges), 5-0
8. 60kg   Jamie Graham (Clonard Belfast) beat Rory Lavery (Holy Family GG ABC), 5-0
9. 65kg   Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott)  beat Anthony Malanaphy (Erne), 5-0
10. 65kg   Johnny Harty (Portlaoise) beat Gianni Richmond (Cairn Lodge), 4-1
11. 65kg   Cian Cramer (Cabra) beat Luke Hall (Rochfordbridge), 4-1
12. 65kg   Jason Nevin (Olympic Mullingar) beat John Paul Hale (Star), 3-2
13. 70kg   Matthew McCole (Illie GG) beat JoJo McArdle (Holy Trinity ABC), 5-0
14. 70kg   Eugene McKeever (Holy Family Drogheda) beat Cahir Gormley (Illies G/Gloves, 5-0

Wednesday, June 4th: Boxing begins at 6pm

All programmes are subject to change

Ticketing & Scheduling Info

IABA’s June Safeguarding courses are now available for booking, following provision of Safeguarding learning online and in person in January, February, March, April and May, attended by over 100 people.

In 2025, IABA is delivering 12 Safeguarding One courses, 4 Safeguarding Two courses and a minimum of 1 Safeguarding Three course.

IABA is also open, on request, to providing Safeguarding One and/or Safeguarding Two learning in person, at a county board or provincial unit level. County Boards and Provinical Units who wish to commission in-person delivery of this learning are invited to make contact with IABA National Safeguarding Manager, Stephen Flynn, via stephen@iaba.ie

Safeguarding One

All adults – coaches, committee members & non-coaching volunteers – in every club who have contact with children are required to have undertaken Safeguarding 1.

In keeping with Sport Ireland best practice in Safeguarding training, workshops will be limited to 16 participants. In keeping with norms across the sporting community, the cost for this workshop is E20. 

Register here: https://shout.com/s/5tP2AMoB

Month	Date/Time	Delivery
Feburary	Wednesday 19th 18.30-21.30: Completed	online
March	Friday 28th 14.00-17.00: Completed	online
April	Tuesday 15th 18.30-21.30: Completed	online
May	Monday 19th18.30-21.30: Completed	online
June	Wednesday 25th 18.30-21.30	online
July	Saturday 26th 10.00-13.00	online
August	Friday 22nd 14.00-17.00	online
September	Monday 22nd 18.30-21.30	online
October	Wednesday 22nd 18.30-21.30	online
November	Tuesday 18th 18.30-21.30	online
December	Wednesday 4th 18.30-21.30	online

Safeguarding Two

The aim of this workshop is to help the Club Children’s Officer to carry out their role and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Children’s Officer Action Planning document as part of the training.

In keeping with Sport Ireland best practice in Safeguarding training, workshops will be limited to 16 participants. In keeping with norms across the sporting community, the cost for this workshop is E20. 

Register here: https://shout.com/s/o3NuYG4s

Quarter	Date/Time	Delivery
Quarter 1-Feburary: COMPLETED	12th 18.30-21.230	online
Quarter 2-May: COMPLETED	22nd 18.30-21.30	online
Quarter 2- August	18th 18.30-21.30	online
Quarter 2- December	11th 18.30-21.30	online

In 2024, IABA delivered 14 Safeguarding 1 basic awareness courses, online and in person, providing this vital learning to 207 coaches and club administrators. IABA also delivered two Safeguarding Two courses to 28 Club Children’s Officers.

The opening bouts of the historic 2025 National Elite Competition have been boxed – this is the first tournament in the Association at World Boxing weights, and the first Elite competition in Belfast.

The competition will be boxed at the Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, Antrim, BT14 GEG, June 2nd to 5th.

Central Council has expressed its gratitute to the competition’s hosts and partners: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ulster Provincial Council, Antrim County Board and Belfast City Council for the invaluable support.”

This Elite Competition is taking place in consideration of selection for the World Boxing World Championships, taking September 4-14, 2025. Given the time available for preparation and selection of athletes to contest the World Boxing World Championships, entry to this Elite Competition is considered an explicit statement by the boxer of their injury-free status, their fitness to compete and their preparedness to compete. It is on that basis that all entrants to the competition will be required to compete in order to be considered for selection for the World Boxing World Championships.

All images: Mark Marlow. The full suite of images of today’s bouts are available HERE

Session One results

Preliminaries

65kg Jason Nevin (Olympic Mullingar) beat James McDonagh (St. Paul’s W/ford), 4-1

Quarter Finals

51kg Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk) beat Carlagh Peake (Ballyhaunis), 3-1

54kg Nicole Clyde (Antrim) beat Megan Flynn (Cherry Orchard), 5-0

60kg Zara Breslin (Tramore) W/O

60kg Rory Lavery (Holy Family GG ABC) W/O

70kg JoJo McArdle (Holy Trinity ABC) beat Ryan Jenkins (Jobstown), 3-2

70kg Cahir Gormley (Illies G/Gloves) beat Darragh Gilroy (Fr Flanagan), AB1

85kg Jason Clancy Jr (Sean McDermott) beat Robbie Olusola (Celtic Eagles), 5-0

Evening Session – Boxing begins at 6pm.

All programmes subject to change

Quarter Finals

1. 50kg    Louis Rooney (Star) beat Ricky Nesbitt (Holy Family, Drogheda), 4-1
2. 51kg    Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry)  beat Niamh Early (Ryston), 5-0
3. 51kg    Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata)  W/O
4. 54kg    Jennifer Lehane (DCU Athletic) beat Sophie Atallah (Unit 3), 5-0
5. 60kg    Adam Hession (Monivea)  W/O
6. 60kg    Jamie Graham (Clonard Belfast) beat Cody O’Reilly (Portlaoise), 5-0
7. 70kg    Eugene McKeever (Holy Family Drogheda) beat Terry McEntee (DCU), 4-1
8. 75kg    Tadhg O’Donnell (Four Kings)  beat Taylor Guiney (St Mary’s Dublin), 3-2
9. 85kg    Anthony Taggart (Ormeau Road) beat Ryan Lee (Crumlin), RSC3

Tuesday, June 3rd. Boxing begins at 6pm

All programmes are subject to change

Ticketing & Scheduling Info

Revised programmes are now available for the 2025 National Elite Competition. Boxing begins on June 2nd at 2pm, and all programmes are subject to change.

The competition is being held at World Boxing weights and will be a factor in selecting the Team Ireland team to contest the World Boxing World Championships in Liverpool, September 4^th to 14^th .It is a collaboration between Central Council and the High Performance Unit, with the invaluable support of Ulster Provincial Council, Antrim County Board and Belfast City Council. Central Council has expressed its gratitude to the competition’s hosts and partners: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ulster Provincial Council, Antrim County Board and Belfast City Council for the invaluable support.”

The competition will be boxed at the Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, Antrim, BT14 GEG, June 2nd to 5th.

Club Advisory:

• Coach registration: via secretary@iaba.ie before close of business on Tuesday 27^th May 25. No Exceptions. Clubs can enter three coaches. Accreditation will be given to registered coaches, only. Unregistered coaches will not be permitted to enter the Field of Play.
• All entrants must hold a current up to date Irish passport, with at least 6 months remaining to expiry.
• Boxing record books and passports will be presented by the boxer at their initial weigh-in.
• Boxers may not wear international kit – boxers may wear club kit, only.
• The withdrawal of any boxer must be notified to the National Registrar, Stephen Connolly, phone: 086 1546746 or email: registrar@iaba.ie

Provisional Programmes

All programmes are subject to change

Tickets