Dozens of people have participated in a weekend of Referee & Judge education in Connacht, administered by National Registrar, Stephen Connolly.

Kindly hosted by Castlebar Boxing Club, Mayo, the seminar was commissioned by Connacht Provincial Council and was held in conjunction with Mayo County Board’s U15 competition.

New Judges from 10 clubs were trained on Saturday. Three referees completed the theory part of their training, while 32 people from 15 clubs took part in an officiating refresher course on Sunday.

New referees and judges will have their practical assessments at the Connacht Championships in February and March.

Judges

Karen Colfar – All Stars

Gerry Fahy – Ballinrobe

Zidislaw Popiez – Castlebar

Tom Conroy – Claremorris

Tom Lyons – Claremorris

Michael Ward – Galway

Sean Porter – Gateway

Bernie Ward – Gateway

Jack Maguire – Gateway

James Coyle – Golden Gloves

Martin McDonagh – Olympic

Sophie Burke – Tobar Pheadair

Mark Ryder – St. Jude’s

Referees

Conor Dennedy – Claremorris

Edward McDonagh – Galway

Alan Donnellan – Monivea

Refresher Course participants.

Gerry Heneghan – Aglish

Oisín Oliver – Aglish

Tony Davis – Ardagh Cross Molina

Joe Lavelle – Ballina

Richenda Langan – Ballina

Martin Peake – Ballyhaunis

Dino Dallat – Ballymote

Fabio Rigo – Ballinacarrow

Myles Cresham – Castlebar

Noreen Quinn – Castlebar

Brian Roche – Castlebar

Dara Fahey – Charlestown

Denis Stevens – Charlestown

Ray Charles – Claremorris

Conor Dennedy – Claremorris

Edward McDonagh – Galway

Eddie McDonagh – Galway

Paddy McDonagh – Galway

Keelan Finan – Gateway

Pat McDonagh – Geesala

Vinnie Morain – Knockmore / Foxford

Michael McTigue – Knockmore / Foxford

Oisín Ward – Loughlynn

Alan Donnellan – Monivea

Sean Clancy – Oughterard

Peter Mullen – St. Anne’s

James Barrett – Titans

Martin Barrett – Titans

Tony Davis – Ardagh Cross Molina

Tomás Geraghty – Swinford

Eamon Sheerin – Swinford

Team Ireland will return from Gemany and the European U17 Championship with 10 medals, following the completion of two days of quarter finals at the Olympic Training Centre in Kienbaum.

369 boxers are contesting 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 

Lucie Prentice has secured at least 50kg bronze following her 5-0 win over Romania’s Iasmina-Georgiana Moraru. Judges scored the bout 28:29; 27:30; 27:30; 28:29; 28:29. Lucie is back in action on Monday, boxing for a medal up-grade against Anya New of England

52kg Sean Kelly has won, at minimum,bronze, following his 5-0 quarter final win over Tamás Ónodi of Hungary. The final scores: 30:27; 30:25; 30:25; 30:27; 30:27. Sean boxes his semi-final on Monday, against Ukraine’s Oleksii Kolbaia

57kg Kalib Walshe is assured of at least a bronze medal after his 5-0 quarter final win over France’s Djibril Bouaoun. Judges scored the bout 29:28; 29:28; 30:27; 29:8; 29:28. Kalib is back between the ropes on Monday, boxing his semi final against Maxim Kovalski of Germany.

Jason Donoghue has won at least 60kg bronze with a 5-0 quarter final win over Raul Barone of Italy, scored 30:37; 30:37, 29:28, 29:28, 29:28. Jason boxes for a medal up-grade in Monday’s semi finals against Shahin Aslanov of Azerbaijan.

Not to be for 66kg Alesha Mullis Boyle of Dungloe BC, Donegal in her quarter final. Despite a valiant performance, the contest ended in an RSC1 in favour of her opponent, Ukraine’s Kateryna Moroz.

Kai Dynes Murphy of Immaculata BC Belfast bows out at 66kg quarter final stage, following a high-tempo bout against t Bohdan Kozak of Ukraine. The 5-0 decision went to his opponent and judges scored the bout 26:30; 27:29; 26:30; 27:29; 26:30 – reflecting a point deduction for the Team Ireland boxer. Kai’s championship journey has included a Last 16 win over Romania’s Eduard-Marian Tangerica. Abby Murray of Muskerry BC, Cork has exited at 48kg quarter final stage with an RSC2 decision in favour of her opponent Serena Mali of England. Not to be for Claire Crowley in her 63kg quarter final agatins Zoë Vogels of Netherlands. The RSC2 decision was in favour of her opponent.

Michael McDonagh bows out on the narrowest of margins, a 3-2 split decision in favour of his opponent, Italy’s Francesco Zonile in their 54kg quarter final. Reflecting a second round point deduction for the Italian boxers, both were level on three out of five score cards at the end of the bout. The French, Swedish and Slovakian judges preferred Zonile. Michael’s championships journey has included a Last 16 win over Ibrahim Badalli of Azerbaijan

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 Six | Semi Finals

10 Team Ireland boxers vie for medal up-grades in Monday’s semi-finals.

50kg Lucie Prentice is first in action, taking on Anya New of England in Bout 2 of Ring A’s Afternoon Session. Kalib Walshe boxes his 57kg semi in Bout 9 of the same ring and session, against Maxim Kovalski of Germany.

Isabelle Hawkins contests her 75kg semi-final in Bout 5 of Ring B’s Afternoon Session, against Vasylyna Olasiuk of Ukraine. 52kg Sean Kelly is in action in Bout 8, also against Ukrainian opposition – Oleksii Kolbaia

In Ring B’s Evening Session, 54kg Paige Nickels is in action against Kesia Reale of Italy in Bout 5. Three contests later, in Bout 6, Team Co-Captain 70kg Cassie Henderson also faces Italian opposition, in the form of Denise Marcellino. 46kg Pat Stokes steps between the ropes in Bout 8, against Birham-Pasa Iuseim of Romania. 50kg Kristian Jubani is next up in Bout 9, taking on Nikola Raičević of Montenegro. 60kg Jason Donoghue is in action in Bout 11, against Shahin Aslanov of Azerbaijan and 80+kg William Heaphy boxes in the last contest of the night, Bout 14. He meets Hakan Deniz Coşkun of Turkey

Schedule | Ring A, Afternoon Session

Schedule | Ring B, Afternoon Session

Schedule | Ring A, Evening Session

Schedule | Ring B, Evening Session

Watch

Afternoon Session, beginning at 10am

Evening Session, beginning 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

The draw has taken place today for the 2025 Ulster Elite Championship – drawsheets are availble here

In all, 36 boxers are contesting the tournament across Tuesday December 16th and Thursday December 18th.

The are several champions by walkover, including 57kg Michaela Walsh, 50kg Rickey Nesbit, 70kg Jon McConnell and 75kg Damon Critchley

All boxers contesting the championships who wish to be considered for selection for the 2026 Commonwealth Games must sign and return Page 17 of the IABA Commonwealth Games Nomination Policy to the Ulster Secretary before they box.

Team Ireland will return from the European U17 Championship in Germany with, at minimum, 6 medals following the first day of quarter finals today.

369 boxers are contesting 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 

Co-Captain Cassie Henderson has climbed the first step of the 70kg podium following her 5-0 quarter final win over Magdalena Lewkowicz of Poland in her debut contest of the tournament.. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. Cassie contests for a medal up-grade on Monday, against the winner of the bout between Italy and Lithuania

Tipperary’s Isabelle Hawkins has won at least a bronze medal in emphatic style – by way of a first round RSC in her quarter final against Marisol Rivetti of Italy. Isabelle is back between the ropes on Monday, boxing for an up-grade against the winner of the contest between Lithuania and Ukraine

54kg Paige Nickels is assured of at least a bronze medal, after her 5-0 quarter final victory over Aleksandra Halbina of Poland. Judges scored the bout 26:30; 26:30; 26:30; 26:30; 26:30, reflecting a point deduction for Halbina. Paige boxes for a medal up-grade on Monday, against the winner of the bout now underway between Georgia and Greece.

Pat Stokes has won, at minimum, a 46kg bronze with a 5-0 quarter final win over Thomas Lido of Italy. The bout was scored: 29:28; 30:27; 29:28; 30:27; 29:28. Pat steps back between the ropes on Monday, contesting for an up-grade against the winner of the contest between Israel an Romania.

50kg Kristian Jubani has claimed a podium finish with a 5-0 quarter final win over England’s Azaan Hussain. The final scores: 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 28:29; 27:30. Kristian is back in action on Monday, boxing for a medal up-grade against the winner of the bout now underway between Greece and Montenegro

46kg Louise Joyce of Olympic BC, Mullingar exits the championship at QF stage, following a brave performance against 2024 Junior European Champion, England’s Lily Basset. The 5-0 decision was scored 27:29; 26:30; 26:30; 26:30; 26:30, reflecting a point deduction for the Irish boxer. Louise’s Championship journey has included a 4-1 split decision win over Italy’s Michela Guglielmon

Emmet Shields of Glasnevin BC Dublin has bowed-out of the championhips at 48kg quarter final stage, following a 5-0 quarter final decision to his opponent, 2023 European School champion, Mykhailo Sydorenko of Ulraine. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. Emmet’s championship journey has included a Last 32 win over Aaron Rakk of Germany and a Last 16 win over Israle’s Alon Amzaleg

John Ward of Monivea BC Galway exits at 75kg quarter final stage, following a 5-0 decision in favour of his opponent, England’s Michael Maughan, scored 26:30; 27:30; 26:30; 27:30; 27:30. John’s Championship journey has included a Last 16 win over Italy’s Jacopo Ferati.

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 Five | Quarter Finals, Day Two

Sunday is the second and final day of Quarter Finals, and 9 Team Ireland boxers will contest for medals.

50kg Lucie Prentice is first up of the day, opening procedings in Ring A’s Afternoon Session against Romania’s Iasmina-Georgiana Moraru. Three contests later, in Bout 4 Alesha Mullis Boyle takes on Ukraine’s Kateryna Moroz in a 66kg quarter final. 52kg Sean Kelly is in action against Tamás Ónodi of Hungary in Bout 6. Two contests later, in Bout 8, 57kg Kalib Walshe takes on France’s Djibril Bouaoun.

Kai Dynes Murphy boxes his 66kg quarter final in Bout 12 of Ring B’s Afternoon Session, against Bohdan Kozak of Ukraine.

63kg Claire Crowley boxed for a medal against Zoë Vogels of Netherlands in Bout 7 of Ring A’s Evening Session. 60kg Jason Donoghue is in action in Bout 12 of the same ring and session, taking on Raul Barone of Italy

Abby Murray opens her account at 48kg quarter final stage, taking on Serena Mali of England in Bout 2 of Ring B’s Evening Session – and seven contests later, in Bout 9, 54kg Michael McDonagh boxes for a medal against Italy’s Francesco Zonile.

Schedule | Ring A, Afternoon Session

Schedule | Ring B, Afternoon Session

Schedule | Ring A, Evening Sesson

Schedule | Ring B, Evening Session

Watch

Afternoon Session, beginning at 10am

Evening Session, beginning 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

IABA will deliver a minimum of 16 Safeguarding learning workshops in 2026.

This will include at least 12 online Safeguarding One workshops, and 4 online Safeguarding Two workshops.

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

Commissioned Workshops

IABA is 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 Workshops

Month	Date	Day	Time
January	14th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
February	4th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
March	11th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
April	15th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
May	16th	Saturday	10.00-13.00
June	17th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
July	15th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
August	14th	Friday	13.00-16.00
September	12th	Saturday	10.00-13.00
October	16th	Friday	13.00-16.00
November	11th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
December	9th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00

Safeguarding Two Workshops

Month	Date	Day	Time
February	11th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
May	20th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
August	26th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00
November	25th	Wednesday	18.00-21.00

Registration

On completion of THIS LINK and in advance of your selected Safeguarding Workshop, your club will receive an invitation to pay your €20 fee through the club’s Blocworx portal.

You will receive a link to attend the workshop on the day of the workshop.