Team Ireland will return from the 2025 European U19 Championships in the Czech Republic with 5 medals – 3 silver and 2 bronze.
Ireland finished 6th out of 33 federations in the medals standings. Ukraine topped the table with 12, followed by England with 6.
Grace Conway took on England’s Lianne Wise in the 57kg final, and didn’t climb to the top of the podium on narrowest possible margin, a 3-2 split. Judges scored the bout : 29:28; 29:28; 27:30; 28:29; 29:28. Grace made it to today’s final with wins over Czech Republic’s Julie Polednikova, Italy’s Martina di Felice and Romania’s Elise Mirela Cojocaru
While 60kg Sean McCusker took on Georgia’s Luka Chkhikvadze. Sean’s route to the final included wins over England’s Isaac Huczmann, Estonia’s Aleksandr Jivoloup and Finland’s Aapo Rovanper. His final ended in a 4-0 decision. Judges scored the bout 29:28; 29:28; 27:30; 28:29; 29:28
65kg John Donoghue was withdrawn from his final by the team’s leadership, in consultation with John, his club and his family.
Grace, Sean and John all received their silver medals today, while Kayleigh Byrne and Nessa Tabachuk were bestowed with their bronze medals.
48kg Chloe Cox, 51kg Kayleigh Byrne, 70kg Katelyn Butler and 75kg Nessa Tabachuk both exited the tournament to the eventual champion. 50kg Kurt Kinsella and 85kg Chulainn McDonnell went out to the eventual champions in their weights. 90kg Shay O’Dowd and 75kg Jason Whelan to the bronze medalist in their weights.
105 female and 189 male boxers from 33 nations competed in Ostrava. 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.
There has been key developmental sparring for post competition Team Ireland boxers on the margins of the tournament, including against Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Norway, Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium and Greece.
The team returns from Ostrava on Friday.
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