There’s been an incredible response to fundraising efforts to support the continued recovery of Ulster Elite boxer, Stephen McMullan.
Stephen contested the Ulster Elite Final on December 9th. Stephen didn’t require medical attention during his bout, and, with his coaches, left Girdwood Community Hub after the Ulster Elite Finals.
Unfortunately, Stephen fell ill at home, and was admitted to the Royal Victory Hospital on Friday, December 10th.
Stephen was discharged from ICU in recent days, but remains in hospital receiving ongoing care and support.
His family have launched a fundraising campaign, to ensure that Stephen has all of the resources to meet his ongoing needs on his discharge from hospital. Over £5,000 has been raised in a matter of days.
Ulster Boxing Council is in on-going contact with Stephen’s family. IABA and the Ulster Boxing Council will continue to provide support to Stephen, his family and his club during this period.
Programmes for boxing in the National U22 & U18 Championships on January 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 28th have been released.
Any withdrawals should be notified to National Registrar & Chief Official, Stephen Connolly, via s.connolly1961@yahoo.com
The competitions will be live-streamed.
Competition arrangements:
Venue: National Stadium, Dublin.
Dates: January 14th – February 12th
Entries: An entry fee of €20 applies.
Weigh-in and Medical: Weigh-ins are daily, on the day of boxing. A medical will be performed on each boxer on their first day of competition and boxers must complete all Covid-19 medical checks on each day they box. Boxing Record books and entry fee to be presented by the boxer at their initial weigh-in.
Weigh-in dates: January 14th – February 12th 8.00am – 9.00am & 12.00pm – 1.00pm
It is a condition of entry that all competitors have a signed Waiver/Members Acknowledgement Form and adhere to any agreement made with the Association sponsors.
Anti-Doping may be carried out at any stage of the championships and all boxers must advise the doctor of any medication they are taking or have taken in the preceding 4 weeks. It is imperative that all boxers adhere to the Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations. For any queries regarding this matter, boxers/coaches should contact Mr Larry Morrison, IABA Anti-Doping Officer on 086-0292476.
Non Pregnancy Declaration forms must be signed.
Attire: Boxers shall have one red and one blue vest. Boxers must not wear long sleeved shirts under their vests. Hair must be tied back and cloth swimming hats or hairnets should be worn under the headgear for boxers with long hair. No red, orange or pink gum shields are allowed.
Coaches: They must wear track suits and runners at all sessions and endeavour to set a high standard of hygiene in the corners. No shorts, caps or hats are allowed.
Sportsmanship: All decisions must be accepted in a sporting manner. Any complaints must be addressed to the Chief Official, Mr.Stephen Connolly. Please show respect to all Ringside Officials. A document stipulating requirements in relation to conduct and the use of social media must be signed by all boxers and coaches at their initial weigh-in.
Please note that, under AIBA rules, boxers who are engaged in ‘Other Physical Contact Sports’ are not eligible to compete. For more information please visit www.iba.sport
Covid-19 Precautions: For the duration of this Championships, Covid-19 protocols will be in place and all boxers, coaches, officials must abide by these. The exact protocols that will apply will be made known closer to the event as government guidelines will dictate. Any boxer, coach or official who fails to follow the protocols and directives issued, will be removed from the Championships.
Independent.ie Sports journalist, Vincent Hogan, writes ” Commanding the rapt attention of your people has historically proved a millstone around Irish necks at that quadrennial flag-waving extravaganza known as an Olympics.
Fear subsumes talent as the sheer scale of the Games settles around fragile ribcages, expectation suddenly becoming a terrible liability for athletes unused to such national commotion. The Olympics is a wreckers-yard for flustered champions, a high stage on which the vast majority become weighed down by inarticulate dread.
Commanding the rapt attention of your people has historically proved a millstone around Irish necks at that quadrennial flag-waving extravaganza known as an Olympics.
Fear subsumes talent as the sheer scale of the Games settles around fragile ribcages, expectation suddenly becoming a terrible liability for athletes unused to such national commotion. The Olympics is a wreckers-yard for flustered champions, a high stage on which the vast majority become weighed down by inarticulate dread. “
Portland Row’s Kellie Harrington, of St. Mary’s BC, claimed the hearts of a nation when she won gold after a thrilling bout against fellow World Champion, Brazilian Beatriz Ferreira in Tokyo.
She made it to the final after victories over Italy’s Rebecca Nicoli, Algeria’s Imane Khelif, and Thailand’s Sudaporn Seesondee
