World bronze medalist, Patsy Joyce, has been nominated for the RTE Young Sports

2025 is the first year in which the 19 year old Olympic BC Mullingar man is eligible to compete at Elite international level – after 11 national titles and 9 months in High Performance training he burst on to the global stage winning Ireland’s first men’s benchmark medal in 8 years at the World Boxing Championships. The last to do it was his cousin, Joe, in 2017 in the World Championships in Hamburg. Patsy, aside from being among the youngest members of Team Ireland at the World Boxing Championships, was one of the youngest boxers his weight category.

He slayed giants and built his reputation and that of Irish boxing in each of his bouts: His first win was over Jaeyong Shin of Korea. In his second win, Patsy took on second over Cuban-born Bulgarian Olympian and World and European medalist, Javier Ibanez Diaz, a skilled and experienced operator 10 years his senior. For his quarter final, he was the victor over Uzbekistan’s Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov – an Asian champion and World Boxing Cup medalist, a veteran 11 years his senior. In his semi-final, Patsy came agonizingly close to silver. He contested against Spain’s Rafael Serrano Lozano, a Paris Olympian, in an incredibly close bout, in skill and score, losing out on the narrowest of margins, a 3-2 split

Patsy is among 6 nominees, including Alex Dunne, the first Irish driver to win an F2 race, winning in Bahrain and Italy, Conor Kelly crowned best Under-20 400 metres runner in Europe by winning gold at the European Athletics U20 Championships, John Short gold medallist in the 200m backstroke at the European Short-Course Championships and double gold at the World Junior Championships in both the 100m and 200m backstroke, Michael Noonan – youngest ever scorer of a UEFA Conference League goal, finding the net for Shamrock Rovers v Molde at the age of 16, Roisin Ni Rian who won a hat-trick of silver medal at the World Para Swimming Championships plus two further bronze medals and Sean Butterly winner of a gold medal in the Junior Men’s K1 at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Hungary.

This Saturday at 8.05pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Joanne Cantwell, Darragh Maloney and David Gillick will present the RTÉ Sport Awards 2025 from Studio 4 in RTÉ.

Team Ireland will return from the European U17 Championships in Kienbaum, Germany, with 10 medals, 3 of them gold and the Best Male Boxer accolade.

369 boxers contested the tournament from Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, England, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine 

Kristian Jubani of Crumlin BC Dublin has been crowned 50kg champion with a 5-0 win over Denis -Aurel Alexandrescu of Romania. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30; 28:29; 27:30; 27:30. Kristian boxed to the top of the podium with wins over Ukraine, England and Montengro – at the conclusion of today’s finals, he was also named Best Male Boxer of the Tournament, an incredible honour for Kristian, his club and his family.

Sean Kelly has won European U17 gold with a 4-0 finals win over Yiğit Keskin of Turkey; judges scored the bout 28: 29; 27: 30; 27: 30; 27: 30; 28:28. Sean, of St. Abbans/Kilmyshall BC in Wexford, boxed to the top of the podium with wins over Poland, Hungary, Ukraine and now Turkey.

Team Co-Captain Cassie Henderson of Phoenix ABC Antrim has won 70kg gold with a unanimous decision win over Ukraine’s Vladyslava Nalyvaiko, scored 28:29; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. Cassie’s journey to the top of the podium has included wins over Poland and Italy.

Kalib Walshe of Wexford CBS BC comes home from Kienbum with silver after a high-tempo final against Daniel Fabi of Italy. The 4-1 decision went to Fabi, scored 28: 29; 28:29; 29:28; 27:30, 27: 30. Kalib boxed to silver with wins over Azerbaijan, France and Germany

Isabelle Hawkins of St. Nicholas BC, Tipperary, has received her 75kg bronze, having boxed to the podium with a Quarter Final win over Marisol Rivetti of Italy, and lost her semi-final to eventual champion, Vasylyna Olasiuk of Ukraine

Banbridge BC club-mates Lucy Prentice (50kg) and Paige Nickels (54kg) were both awarded their bronze medals today. Lucie’s Championship journey has included a Quarter Final win over Romania’s Iasmina-Georgiana Moraru and a semi-final against eventual champion, England’s Anya New. Pagie boxed to a podium finish with Last 16 win over Lithuania’s Akvilė Siupieniute and a Quarter Final victory over Aleksandra Halbina of Poland, and lost her semi-final to champion Kesia Reale of Italy

Also receiving bronze medals today were Jason Donoghue of Olympic BC Mullingar (60kg) and Pat Stokes of Mullingar Shuffler (46kg) Jason’s progress through these championships has included a Last 32 win over David Harutyunyan of France , a Last 16 win over Estonia’s Artjom Timasov and a quarter final win over Italy’s Raul Barone. Pat’s Championship journey has included a quarter final won over Thomas Lido of Italy.

Team Ireland is led and managed by Anna Moore of St. Francis BC, Limerick and Joey Simpson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford. The team is coached by Valerie Hamilton of St. Francis BC, Limerick, Liam Cunningham of Saints BC, Antrim, Linda Morgan of Arklow BC, Wicklow and John Coffey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry. Joe Lowe of St. Paul’s ABC Belfast has been nominated as an R&J.

Team Ireland

46kg | Louise Joyce | Olympic BC, Westmeath

46kg | Pat Stokes | Mullingar Shuffler BC, Westmeath

48kg | Abby Murray |Muskerry BC, Cork

48kg | Emmet Shields | Glasnevin BC, Dublin

50kg | Lucie Prentice, Banbridge BC, Antrim

50kg | Kristian Jubani | Crumlin BC, Dublin

52kg | Aleigha Murphy | Ballybrack BC, Dublin

52kg | Sean Kelly | St Abbans/Kilmyshall BC, Wexford

54kg | Paige Nickels | Banbridge BC, Antrim

54kg | Michael McDonagh | Avona BC, Dublin

57kg | Ella Archbold |Ballybrack BC, Dublin

57kg | Kalib Walshe | Wexford CBS, Wexford

60kg | Ruth Dossen | Olympic BC, Galway

60kg | Jason Donoghue | Olympic BC, Westmeath

63kg | Claire Crowley | St Martha’s BC, Cork

63kg | Padraig Walsh | Immaculata BC, Antrim

66kg |Alesha Mullis Boyle | Dungloe BC, Donegal

66kg | Kai Dynes Murphy | Immaculata BC, Antrim

70kg | Cassie Henderson | Phoenix ABC, Antrim

70kg |Conor Dowds | Immaculata BC, Antrim

75kg |Isabelle Hawkins | St Nicholas BC, Tipperary

75kg |John Ward | Monivea BC, Galway

80+kg |William Heaphy, Golden Gloves BC, Cork

Support Staff

Team Managers | Anna Moore, St. Francis BC, Limerick | Joey Simpson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford

Coaches | Valerie Hamilton, St. Francis BC, Limerick | Liam Cunningham, Saints BC, Antrim

Linda Morgan, Arklow BC, Wicklow | John Coffey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry

Referee/Judge | Joe Lowe, St. Paul’s ABC, Belfast

The pairings have been decided for Thursday’s 2025 Ulster Elite Championship finals.

Semi-finals took place on Tuesday night in Shorts Sports & Recreation Club, Belfast.

All finals will be boxed on December 17th in the Girwood Community Hub, beginning at 7.30pm

Finals

		Red Corner					Blue Corner
	Wgt	Name		Club		Result	Name		Club
0		Final Boy 5
1	Boy 5 60kg	Cormac Moore	Star			V	Patrick Whitehouse		Killyman
		Ulster Elite Finals 2026
2	50kg	Ricky Nesbitt			Holy Trinity	EXB	Luke Mulhall		Jobstown
3	51kg	Caitlin Fryers			Immaculata	V	Carleigh Irving		Oakleaf
4	54kg	Nicole Clyde			Antrim	V	Courtney McCrudden		Emerald
5	55kg	Louis Rooney			Star	V	Clepson dos Santos		Holy Trinity
6	57kg	Michaela Walsh			Holy Family GG	W/O
7	60kg	Ella Mc Donald			Corpus C	V	Ciara Craig		Glengormley
8	60kg	Jordan O Donnell			St Georges	V	Jude Gallagher		Two Castles Olympic
9	65kg	Caprice Coiley			Clonard	V	Kaci Rocks		Holy Trinity
10	65kg	John Paul Hale			Star	V	Fionn Duffy		St Joseph’s
11	70kg	Nicole Hamill			Corpus C	V	Jansseen Hill		Holy Trinity
12	70kg	Jon Mc Connell			Holy Trinity	EXB	Ryan Jenkins		Jobstown
13	75kg	Damon Critchley			Canal	W/O
14	80kg	James McGuinness			St.Monica’s	V	Eoghan Quinn		St. John’s
15	85kg	Jake Walker			Corpus C	EXB	Josh Olaniyan		Jobstown
16	90kg	Anthony Taggart			Ormeau Road	V	Garyn Mc Allister		Northdown
17	90+kg	Willie Jon Mc Cartan			Gilford	V	Ali Ahmed		Ormeau Road

The deadline for nominations for the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards, a national celebration of the extraordinary individuals who contribute to the vibrant fabric of Irish sports, has been extended until 5pm on Wednesday, December 17th.

2024 awards were bestowed upon Paddy Joe of Star BC Belfast as the Antrim winner, Brian McKeown of Cavan BC as the Cavan winner, Myles Cresham of Castlebar BC as Mayo’s Volunteer of the Year and Lynda McGrath of Tralee BC was the Kerry winner. 

Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships these prestigious awards recognise the selfless volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and passion to support sports clubs and community organisations across Ireland. 

The 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards will bring together individuals from all 32 counties to celebrate their commitment to fostering participation and ensuring that sport is accessible to all.

Their contributions not only inspire communities but also enable clubs and organisations to thrive, supporting social cohesion and well-being across Ireland. Without their dedication, many sporting opportunities simply would not exist. 

A new addition to the 2025 awards is the launch of a brand-new award – the Club/Community Sport Organisation Award. This award recognises a volunteer led sports club, community organisation, or group that has made an outstanding contribution to promoting sport, physical activity, and community well-being. It celebrates excellence in inclusion, participation, leadership, and positive impact through sport.

There are also two closed categories of Outstanding Achievement Award and the addition of a Lifetime Achievement Award. These prestigious awards are not open for public nomination. Recipients are selected by the Judging Panel from entries received from the County Volunteers, based on outstanding merit, impact, or long-term contribution.

The awards celebration will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown in Dublin on 26^th February 2026. 

To submit a nomination, visit www.volunteersinsport.ie   

Team Ireland will return from the European U17 Championship with 6 bronze and 4 silver – and the chance to up-grade those to gold on Wednesday.

Sean Kelly has up-graded to at least 52kg silver with a 5-0 semi final win over Oleksii Kolbaia of Ukraine, scored 30: 27; 30: 27; 29:28; 29:28; 29:28. He boxes for gold on Wednesday against Yiğit Keskin of Turkey.

57kg Kalib Walshe is assured of at least silver after his 5-0 semi final win over Maxim Kovalski of Germany, scored 27:30; 27:30; 28:29; 27:30; 27:30. Kalib is back in action in Wednesday’s finals, boxing for gold against Daniel Fabi of Italy

Cassie Henderson has taken a step up the podium to 70kg silver with a 5-0 semi final win over Italy’s Denise Marcellino. Judges scored the bout .29:28; 29:28; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27. Cassie boxes for gold on Wednesday,  Vladyslava Nalyvaiko of Ukraine.

50kg Kristian Jubani has won at least silver with 5-0 semi-final win over Nikola Raičević of Montenegro, scored 27: 30; 26:30; 26:30; 26:30; 26:30. Kristian is back on action on Wednesday, and boxes for gold against Denis -Aurel Alexandrescu of Romania

Lucie Prentice of Banbridge BC, Antrim comes home from Kienbaum with 50kg bronze after a battling performance in her semi-final against England’s Anya New. The 5-0 decision went to New. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27: 29:28; 30:27; 30:27. Lucie’s Championship journey has included a Quarter Final win over Romania’s Iasmina-Georgiana Moraru.

75kg Isabelle Hawkins of St. Nicholas BC, Tipperary will bring home bronze after a valiant performance in her semi-final against Vasylyna Olasiuk of Ukraine. The 5-0 decision went to Olasiuk and the final scores were: 29: 28; 29: 28; 29: 28; 29: 28; 29: 28. Isabelle boxed to bronze with a Quarter Final win over Marisol Rivetti of Italy.

Paige Nickels of Banbridge BC Antrim comes home with 54kg bronze following her semi-final against Kesia Reale of Italy. The 4-1 split decision went to Reale on a scoreline of 29: 28; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. Pagie boxed to a podium finish with Last 16 win over Lithuania’s Akvilė Siupieniute and a Quarter Final victory over Aleksandra Halbina of Poland.

Pat Stokes of Mullingar Shuffler BC, Westmeath, comes home with 46kg bronze after a 5-0 semi-final decision in favour of his opponent, Birham-Pasa Iuseim of Romania. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. Pat’s Championship journey has included a quarter final won over Thomas Lido of Italy.

Jason Donoghue of Olympic BC, Westmeath comes home from Kienbaum with 60kg bronze following his semi-final against Shahin Aslanov of Azerbaijan. The 5-0 decision went to Aslanov, scored 27:30; 27:30; 28:29; 27:30; 27:30. Jason progress through these championships has included a Last 32 win over David Harutyunyan of France , a Last 16 win over Estonia’s Artjom Timasov and a quarter final win over Italy’s Raul Barone.

80+kg William Heaphy of Golden Gloves BC, Cork comes home with bronze following his semi-final against Hakan Deniz Coşkun of Turkey. The 4-1 decision went to Coşkun and judges scored the bout 29:28; 30:27; 28:29; 30:27; 29:28. William boxed to a medal with a Last 16 win over Finland’s Ekoevi Tomety and a Quarter Final win over Poland’s Jakub Wojnicz.

Team Ireland is led and managed by Anna Moore of St. Francis BC, Limerick and Joey Simpson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford. The team is coached by Valerie Hamilton of St. Francis BC, Limerick, Liam Cunningham of Saints BC, Antrim, Linda Morgan of Arklow BC, Wicklow and John Coffey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry. Joe Lowe of St. Paul’s ABC Belfast has been nominated as an R&J.

Day Seven | Finals

Tuesday is a rest-day in Kienbaum, and all finals will be boxed on Wednesday, December 17th.

52kg Sean Kelly takes on Yiğit Keskin of Turkey in Bout 9 in the Afternoon Session. 57kg Kalib Walshe is in action in the subsequent bout against Daniel Fabi of Italy

Cassie Henderson contests for 70kg gold in Bout 5 of the Evening Session, against Vladyslava Nalyvaiko of Ukraine. 50kg Kristian Jubani takes on Denis -Aurel Alexandrescu of Romania three bouts later, in Bout 8.

Schedule | Afternoon Session

Schedule | Evening Session

Watch

One ring will be in operation in Wednesday’s finals. The Afternoon Session will begin at 10am and the Evening Session gets underway at 2.30pm

Team Ireland

46kg | Louise Joyce | Olympic BC, Westmeath

46kg | Pat Stokes | Mullingar Shuffler BC, Westmeath

48kg | Abby Murray |Muskerry BC, Cork

48kg | Emmet Shields | Glasnevin BC, Dublin

50kg | Lucie Prentice, Banbridge BC, Antrim

50kg | Kristian Jubani | Crumlin BC, Dublin

52kg | Aleigha Murphy | Ballybrack BC, Dublin

52kg | Sean Kelly | St Abbans/Kilmyshall BC, Wexford

54kg | Paige Nickels | Banbridge BC, Antrim

54kg | Michael McDonagh | Avona BC, Dublin

57kg | Ella Archbold |Ballybrack BC, Dublin

57kg | Kalib Walshe | Wexford CBS, Wexford

60kg | Ruth Dossen | Olympic BC, Galway

60kg | Jason Donoghue | Olympic BC, Westmeath

63kg | Claire Crowley | St Martha’s BC, Cork

63kg | Padraig Walsh | Immaculata BC, Antrim

66kg |Alesha Mullis Boyle | Dungloe BC, Donegal

66kg | Kai Dynes Murphy | Immaculata BC, Antrim

70kg | Cassie Henderson | Phoenix ABC, Antrim

70kg |Conor Dowds | Immaculata BC, Antrim

75kg |Isabelle Hawkins | St Nicholas BC, Tipperary

75kg |John Ward | Monivea BC, Galway

80+kg |William Heaphy, Golden Gloves BC, Cork

Support Staff

Team Managers | Anna Moore, St. Francis BC, Limerick | Joey Simpson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford

Coaches | Valerie Hamilton, St. Francis BC, Limerick | Liam Cunningham, Saints BC, Antrim

Linda Morgan, Arklow BC, Wicklow | John Coffey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry

Referee/Judge | Joe Lowe, St. Paul’s ABC, Belfast