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Please scroll down for tonight’s results and corresponding draws from the National Women’s U/18 and Senior Cadet Championships.

Thirteen bouts were decided at Dublin’s National Stadium this evening, with AIBA World Junior bronze medallist Kelsey Leonard earning a unanimous decision over Midleton BC prospect Caitlyn Ryan.

Boxing resumes at 11am tomorrow morning.

Note: Saturday’s weigh-ins for U/18 finalists and the 66kg Senior Cadet final – 8am to 9am.

Weigh in for Finals (Senior Cadets) on Friday 29th – 8am to 9am and 12pm to 1pm

National Women’s U/18 and Senior Cadet Championships

Q/Finals and S/Finals

Friday, July 22nd (7pm)

Senior Cadets Q/Finals

50kg Mary Kate Nevin (Mullingar Elite) beat Jessica Connolly (Ballaghederreen) 3-0
66kg Elice Elliott (South Meath) beat Claire Kiely (Rathkeale) 2-1

U/18 S/Finals
48kg Shannon Sweeney (St Annes) beat Chloe O’Keeffe (Kanturk) 3-0
48kg Megan Flynn (Cherry Orchard) beat Ciara Anderson (Twin Towns) 3-0
51kg Kelsey Leonard (Curragh) beat Caitlyn Ryan (Midleton) 3-0
51kg Linda McDonald (Jobstown) beat Shauna Blaney (Navan) 2-1
54kg Chloe Gray (Bracken) beat Talita Hegarty (Riverstown) 3-0
54kg Niamh Early (Ryston) beat Clodagh McComiskey (Gilford) 3-0
57kg Labhoise Clarke (Carndonagh) beat Aishling Murray (Muskerry) 3-0
64kg Shannon O’Reilly (Bray) beat Shannon Edge (St Brigids Edenderry) 2-1
69kg Joanne Richards (St Michaels NR) beat Samantha O’Grady (St Marys’s NR) 3-0
69kg Ciara Lavin (Ballinamore) beat Megan Ruddell (Baldoyle) 3-0
81kg Nell Fox (Rathkeale) beat Sarah O’Brien (Carrickmacross) 3-0

Saturday, July 23rd (11am)

Senior Cadets S/Finals

46kg Ciara Brien (St Davids Naas) V Catherine Blaney (Navan)
46kg Dana Moorehouse (Enniskerry) V Saoirse Kearns (Monkstown)
48kg Sarah Edge (St Brigids Edenderry) V Orinta Ringyte (Riverstown)
50kg Jessica Clarke (Carndonagh) V Mary Kate Nevin (Mullingar Elite)
50kg Ciara Craig (Dunfanaghy) V Sarah Edris (Monkstown)
54kg Margaret Geraghty (Baldoyle) V Elise Carey (Drogheda)
57kg Natalie Russell (Riverstown) V Margurieta Nevin (St Brigids Kil)
60kg Nadine Dermody (Paulstown) V Shauna O’Callaghan (Clann Naofa)
60kg Carmen Mavrodin (Bay City) V Aoibhe Ginty (Geesala)

Final
66kg Paige O’Keefe (Paulstown) V Elice Elliott (South Meath)

U/18 Finals

48kg Shannon Sweeney (St Annes) V Megan Flynn (Cherry Orchard)
51kg Kelsey Leonard (Curragh) V Linda McDonald (Jobstown)
54kg Chloe Gray (Bracken) V Niamh Early (Ryston)
57kg Kellie McLoughlin (Drimnagh) V Labhoise Clarke (Carndonagh)
60kg Orla Garvey (Dealgan) V Renee Roche (Castlebar)
64kg Kayleigh Woods (St Brigids Kildare) V Shannon O’Reilly (Bray)
69kg Joanne Richards (St Michaels NR) V Ciara Lavin (Ballinamore)
75kg Aoife Burke (St Marys Dublin) W/O
81kg Mikayla Kelly (Sacred Heart Tolerton ) V Nell Fox (Rathkeale)
81+kg Elizabeth Murphy (Oughterard) W/O

Senior Cadet Finals

Friday, July 29th (7pm)

42kg Ciara Walsh (Smithfield) W/O
46kg Winner V Winner
48kg Caitlyn Fryers (Immaculata) V Winner
50kg Winner V Winner
52kg Abbey Doyle (Enniskerry) V Kasey Holohan (St John Bosco L)
54kg Tiffany O’Reilly (St Brigids ) V Winner
57kg Dervla Rooney (Sean McDermott) V Winner
60kg Winner V Winner
63kg Katelyn Phelan (St Brigids Kildare) V Evelynn Igharo (Clann Naofa)
70kg Gabrielle Simkute (Drogheda) V Lauren Kelly (St Bridgids Enderry)
75kg Caoimhe Murphy (Drogheda) V Lucy Purdy (Smithfield)
80kg Aoibhe Carribine (Geesala) W/O
80+kg Ellen O’Connell (St Brigids Edenderry) V Alannah Nolan (Ballyhaunis)

(B)

Andy Lee with three St Francis BC prospects at today’s launch

Ex Irish Olympian and WBO World middleweight champion Andy Lee believes the St Francis boxing club will turn out more national and potentially even world champions following an investment by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government through Limerick City and County Council that will double the size of the club.

Lee was back at his former Alma Mater today to see the premises adjacent to the club that will facilitate its much needed expansion.

The property was purchased under the local authority’s ambitious Regeneration programme and, according to Lee, the investment will help put young people involved in sport on the right path.

“I know from personal experience and I see it all the time, whether it’s here in St. Francis, in Repton in the UK where I first stepped into a ring, in New York, where I’ve trained, or wherever – involvement in sport changes lives, puts people on a path in life. It teaches you discipline, respect and so much more, said Lee, Ireland’s only boxer at the 2004 Olympics and a European Elite bronze medallist.

IABA President Pat Ryan with Cllr. Frank Daly at today’s launch

“That’s why this investment here today is so important. You have to invest in young people, give them a purpose. You get a life-long return from it. The St. Francis Club has turned out and still is turning out national champions, added the Limerick southpaw, one of the first members of the internationally acclaimed IABA High Performance Units.

“That will only increase now with this expansion as double the numbers will be able to train here. Who knows, maybe we already have an up and coming world champion in our midst in the club and that’s something we all dream about.”

Today’s launch was attended by Pat Ryan, President of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), Anna Moore, Treasurer with the club, Marion Moore, club Secretary, and head coach Ken Moore, City and County Council officals, Cllr. Frank Daly, club members and national and local media.

Originally founded in Denmark Street in the Treaty City in 1928 before moving to its present location on Francis Street, the St Francis BC is Ireland’s longest running IABA affiliated club.

Andy Lee in St Francis earlier today

Lee won three Elite titles boxing out of the club and St Francis light-fly Jimmy Moore was the last Irishman to beat three-time Irish Olympian Paddy Barnes in the 2006 National Elite final at Dublin’s National Stadium.

Chief Seconds Ken Moore, hailing what he described as the enormous contribution of Cllr. Frank Daly, said: “We have the keys, We have the area. We have the unit. We’re only starting out and we look forward to seeing you all here in twelve months when the work is completed and we look forward to bringing national teams here to promote our sport.”

Speaking at the event, Limerick Regeneration Office Programme Manager Carmel Kirby said Lee’s presence at today’s launch and association with this club will be inspirational to so many young sportsmen. “Limerick has a fantastic sporting history and while we think of rugby, GAA and soccer mostly, Andy and, indeed, Willie Casey, have put boxing right up there with the other codes. He’s an inspirational figure to so many and it’s typical of him to agree to come here for this important day. He was and still is a great champion and one thing that never changes with him is his humility.”

St Francis BC head coach Ken Moore with Andy Lee at today’s launch

Commentating on the investment, she added: “We are delighted to put this investment into St. Francis Boxing Club which helps us deliver our objectives under the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan. Not least because of Andy, the club is in the sporting folklore of Limerick and also nationally given that it’s the oldest IABA affiliated club in the country. This investment guarantees a bright future for it as well as for the young people attending the club and we are looking forward to watching these children grow and develop over the years.”

Pat Ryan commended the local authority and all involved in the club for their commitment.

The IABA President said: “This is a great day for St. Francis’ Club and all associated with it. There has been Trojan work done here over the years to keep boxing alive and, indeed, flourishing. It continues to turn out some of the country’s young boxers and will turn out even more now in the years ahead after this investment. Perhaps we have a young Andy Lee already stepping through the rings here today and this investment by Limerick City and County Council will go a long way to ensuring that.”

St Francis BC President Noel Griffin said: “Today is a dream day for us. We have been constrained in terms of capacity for so long that I expect we will have double the members in the club within weeks of the new extension opening.

“We are indebted to Limerick City and County Council, and all at the Regeneration Office, for this. It is a show of great commitment to sport and to giving young children the best possible start in their lives by making sure to notch sports facilities are available for them in the city.”

Anna Moore said: “This is a proud day for our club and we are very much looking forward to completing this project.”

The St Francis BC membership is capped at 40 members due to the size of the current premises but it is understood that membership could almost double within two weeks if the club were to be extended into the adjoining premises.

The club has a strong ethos of respect and 98% of school reports record a huge difference in the concentration levels and discipline of the club’s young members.

(B)

The National Women’s U/18 and Senior Cadet Championships begin at Dublin’s Stadium tonight.

Thirteen bouts will be decided to complete Saturday’s draw. Boxing begins at 7pm this evening.

A second session begins Saturday morning at 11am.

Weigh-ins

No weigh-ins on Friday 22nd

Weigh-in for U/18s on Saturday 23rd July – 8am to 9am

Weigh in for Finals (Senior Cadets) on Friday July 29th – 8am to 9am and 12pm to 1pm

Tickets

Tickets will be available on the door from €5 (U/14) and €10 for adults.

National Women’s U/18 and Senior Cadet Championships

Q/Finals and S/Finals

Friday, July 22nd (7pm)

Senior Cadets

50kg Mary Kate Nevin (Mullingar Elite) V Jessica Connolly (Ballaghederreen)
66kg Elice Elliott (South Meath) V Claire Kiely (Rathkeale)

U/18
48kg Shannon Sweeney (St Annes) V Chloe O’Keeffe (Kanturk)
48kg Megan Flynn (Cherry Orchard) V Ciara Anderson (Twin Towns)
51kg Caitlyn Ryan (Midleton) V Kelsey Leonard (Curragh)
51kg Shauna Blaney (Navan) V Linda McDonald (Jobstown)
54kg Chloe Gray (Bracken) V Talita Hegarty (Riverstown)
54kg Niamh Early (Ryston) V Clodagh McComiskey (Gilford)
57kg Aishling Murray (Muskerry) V Labhoise Clarke (Carndonagh)
64kg Shannon Edge (St Brigids Edenderry) V Shannon O’Reilly (Bray)
69kg Samantha O’Grady (St Marys’s NR) V Joanne Richards (St Michaels NR)
69kg Megan Ruddell (Baldoyle) V Ciara Lavin (Ballinamore)
81kg Nell Fox (Rathkeale) V Sarah O’Brien (Carrickmacross)

Saturday, July 23rd (11am)

Senior Cadets S/Finals

46kg Ciara Brien (St Davids Naas) V Catherine Blaney (Navan)
46kg Dana Moorehouse (Enniskerry) V Saoirse Kearns (Monkstown)
48kg Sarah Edge (St Brigids Edenderry) V Orinta Ringyte (Riverstown)
50kg Jessica Clarke (Carndonagh) V Winner
50kg Ciara Craig (Dunfanaghy) V Sarah Edris (Monkstown)
54kg Margaret Geraghty (Baldoyle) V Elise Carey (Drogheda)
57kg Natalie Russell (Riverstown) V Margurieta Nevin (St Brigids Kil)
60kg Nadine Dermody (Paulstown) V Shauna O’Callaghan (Clann Naofa)
60kg Carmen Mavrodin (Bay City) V Aoibhe Ginty (Geesala)
66kg Paige O’Keefe (Paulstown) V Winner

U/18 Finals

48kg Winner V Winner
51kg Winner V Winner
54kg Winner V Winner
57kg Kellie McLoughlin (Drimnagh) V Winner
60kg Orla Garvey (Dealgan) V Renee Roche (Castlebar)
64kg Kayleigh Woods (St Brigids Kildare) V Winner
69kg Winner V Winner
75kg Aoife Burke (St Marys Dublin) W/O
81kg Mikayla Kelly (Sacred Heart Tolerton ) V Winner
81+kg Elizabeth Murphy (Oughterard) W/O

Senior Cadet Finals

Friday, July 29th (7pm)

42kg Ciara Walsh (Smithfield) W/O
46kg Winner V Winner
48kg Caitlyn Fryers (Immaculata) V Winner
50kg Winner V Winner
52kg Abbey Doyle (Enniskerry) V Kasey Holohan (St John Bosco L)
54kg Tiffany O’Reilly (St Brigids ) V Winner
57kg Dervla Rooney (Sean McDermott) V Winner
60kg Winner V Winner
63kg Katelyn Phelan (St Brigids Kildare) V Evelynn Igharo (Clann Naofa)
70kg Gabrielle Simkute (Drogheda) V Lauren Kelly (St Bridgids Enderry)
75kg Caoimhe Murphy (Drogheda) V Lucy Purdy (Smithfield)
80kg Aoibhe Carribine (Geesala) W/O
80+kg Ellen O’Connell (St Brigids Edenderry) V Alannah Nolan (Ballyhaunis)

Eric Donovan, Michael Carruth, Kellie Harrington and Mick Dowling.

RTE have named a formidable looking boxing squad for Rio 2016.

Joint World No. 4 ranked light-welter and AIBA World Elite silver medallist Kellie Harrington makes her TV debut outside the ropes.

She joins Olympic champion Michael Carruth, an AIBA World Elite bronze medallist, also at light-welterweight, two-time Olympian and eight-time Irish Elite champion Mick Dowling and ex Irish Elite and WBA champion Bernard Dunne.The quartet will provide expert analysis.

Unbeaten Montrose southpaw, Jimmy “Memory Man” Magee, is in the commentary box along with multiple Irish Elite champion and European bronze medallist Eric Donovan, who convincingly won on his pro debut at the National Stadium in Dublin last month, a venue he graced in his stand out amateur career.

Harrington became the first Irish woman besides Katie Taylor to reach an AIBA World Elite final in Kazakhstan earlier this year. She’s the fifth Irish boxer to make a World Elite decider this century after Jason Quigley and Rio Olympians Michael Conlan, Joe Ward and Taylor.

Unfortunately for Irish and international boxing, light-welter is not an Olympic weight for women. Female boxing is restricted to three weights – flyweight, lightweight and middleweight.

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) have indicated that this might be improved to five weights for Tokyo 2020. But for now female boxing has to make do with 36 of 286 Olympic places,12% of the quota.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s male Olympians are in training camp at a Naval base in Rio ahead of the opening bell for male boxing on August 6 at the 9,000 capacity Pavilion 6 venue for the 31st Olympiad.

The team move into the Olympic village on July 29. Katie Taylor joins her compatriots on August 2. Women’s boxing begins on August 12.

Taylor, Paddy Barnes, Brendan Irvine, Michael Conlan, David Oliver Joyce, Steven Donnelly, Michael O’Reilly and Joe Ward will represent Irish boxing in Rio.

(B)