The 2016 Celtic Box Cup will take place on the 23rd/24th/25th of September in Dungarvan, Waterford.

Teams from Australia, Portugal, UK and the USA and many other top boxing nations have been confirmed for the prestigious international event.

AIBA World Elite silver medallist Kellie Harrington won Celtic Box gold in 2015 after beating Portugal’s Nancy Moreira in the 64kg final.

Registration is now open. Please click here for official website.

AIBA Press release

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) convened an Extraordinary Congress in Lausanne today, June 1st, in a bid to remove Article 13 (J) of the AIBA Statutes. The new article will open the doors to boxers from all organisations to participate in AIBA competitions. This amendment was ratified by an overwhelming majority of 95% of the delegates attending the Extraordinary Congress.

“This is a momentous occasion for AIBA, for Olympic Boxing, and for our sport as a whole, and represents another great leap forward in the evolution of boxing. We have embraced reform at AIBA over the past decade, making historic changes that have shaped the present health of boxing and precipitated its ongoing surge in popularity worldwide. This move will ensure the empowerment of National Federations and enhance all future competitions including the Olympic Games. Our mission is to continue to make brave decisions in the best interest of our boxers and for the good for the sport,” declared AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu after the vote.

The amendment of Article 13 (J) will immediately allow all National Federations to register all non AIBA professional boxers for the APB/WSB Olympic Qualification Tournament in Vargas, Venezuela on July 3-8 according to the criteria for registration of pro boxers. The competition will offer 26 quota places available for Rio 2016.

AIBA’s decision supports the IOC Agenda 2020 which seeks to ensure that the world’s best athletes are eligible to compete at the Olympic Games. Boxing was one of the few sports not to have been open to all professional athletes, and the changes reflect the levelling of the playing field and the culmination of reforms and new competitions that AIBA has been responsible for, particularly the inauguration of AIBA Pro Boxing and World Series of Boxing competitions.

The change comes as AIBA, the only official boxing body recognised by the International Olympic Committee with 197 National Federations affiliated, marks its 70th year at the forefront of the sport. Its policies are aimed at nourishing boxing and providing a solid career path for determined athletes all over the world, from providing essential grassroots training facilities through to its elite-level global competitions. A significant element of that care for boxers also covers their health, as evidenced by the current HeadsUp initiative and the AIBA Medical Commission’s research that informed the decision to remove headguards in men’s competitions in 2013.

*The new Article 13 J of the AIBA statutes

National Federations and provisional members have the following obligations:

“To govern, organize, promote and represent the sport of boxing in accordance with the AIBA Statutes, AIBA Bylaws, AIBA Technical Rules, AIBA 3 Program Competition Rule, AIBA Code of Ethics, AIBA Disciplinary Code, AIBA Procedural Rules and the AIBA Anti-Doping Rules within its territory by establishing appropriate rules and regulations concerning the practice of the sport and the eligibility of boxers to participate in national competitions and AIBA Competitions.”

Please scroll down for National Junior Cadet Championships draws.

Boxing begins on Friday at the National Stadium in Dublin at 7pm.

Athletes are not required to weigh-in until day of their finals.

Finals day weigh-ins will be held between 8am and 9am and 12pm and 1pm at the National Stadium.

The IABA wishes all boxers the very best of luck at the Championships.

National Junior Cadet Championships 2016

Friday June 3rd

Preliminaries (7pm)

38.5kg Karl Sheridan (Crumlin) V Cian Brazil (Smithfield)
40kg Jake Charles (Mullingar Elite) V Harris Crowley (Erne)
40kg Seamus Mungan (Avona) V Tom Conroy (Crumlin)
40kg Thomas Donovan (Olympic) V Mike McCarthy (Tralee)
40kg John McDonagh (Glen) V Ronan O’Reilly (St John Bosco Newry)
41.5kg Paul Hutchinson (Birr) V Caolan Fennelly (St Pauls Antrim)
41.5kg Ciaran Delaney (St Saviours OBA) V Sam Murphy (Ballymore Hollywood)
41.5kg Ryan Squire (St Matthews) V Gerard McDonagh (Glen)
41.5kg Padraig O’Cuilainn (Connemara) V Seamus McDonagh (St Pauls Waterford)
41.5kg Michael Nevin Daly (Clara) V Paddy Stokes (Crumlin)
44.5kg Thomas G Maughan (Galway) V Michael Sweeney (Sligo City)
46kg Brian T Barrett (Titans) V Killian Clarke (Rathnew)
46kg Jamie O’Mara (Drogheda) V Martin Maughan (Cherry Orchard)
46kg Martin McDonagh (Portlaoise) V Taylor Guiney (Lucan)
46kg Conor Roach (Cherry Orchard) V Michael Stokes (Callan)
48kg Devon Hanrahan (Saviours Crystal) V Martin McCullough (Gleann)
48kg Cian Lewis (Ballymun) V Darragh Lynch (Cherry Orchard)
48kg Dylan McInerney (Portlaoise) V Patrick McInerney (Portlaoise)
48kg Michael Lawrence (Darndale) V Barry O’Connor (St Faustinas Ballyduff)
54kg Peter J Maughan (Ballyhaunis) V Jack Marley (Monkstown D)
54kg Callum Scully (Kilnamanagh) V Francis Maughan (St Marys Dublin)
54kg Jack Sammon (Ballymore ) V Oran Gethins (Sean McDermott)
56kg Adam Flynn (St Matthews) V Patrick Collins (Phibsboro)

Saturday June 4th

Preliminaries (10am)

38.5kg Corey Byrne Dunbar (St Aidams) V Jack McDermott (Curragh)
38.5kg Jermone Lonergan Gartland (Clonmel) V Karl Sheridan (Crumlin)
38.5kg Tyler Murray (Old School) V Jack Connors (Ryston)
38.5kg Jason Breen (Arklow) V Nathan O’Brien (Wexford CBS)
38.5kg Cian Brazil (Smithfield) V Barney Nevin (Mullingar Elite)
38.5kg Tiernan Conroy (St Pats TOW) V Padraig McCleary (Ardoyne Holy X)
38.5kg Michael Conroy (Titans) V Aodhan Byrne (Kilcullen)
38.5kg Jake Rapple (Monkstown D) V Michael Farrelly (Crumlin)
40kg Suffie Edris (Monkstown D) V Winner
40kg Winner V Jon McConnell (Townland)
40kg Stephen O’Reilly (O.L.O.L.) V Winner
40kg Winner V Luke Mooney (Ballymun)
41.5kg Jamie Lee (Douglas) V Winner
41.5kg Winner V Winner
41.5kg Simon O’Donnell (Cherry Orchard) V Winner
41.5kg Winner V Patrick Sweeney (Titans)
43kg Liam Kearns (Monkstown D) V Shane Stokes (St Johns Derry)
43kg Joe Joyce (Ballymun) V James Doyle (Portlaoise)
43kg Tiernan Glennon (St Josephs U) V Fionntan Loughlin (St Pauls Antrim)
43kg Jack Geoghegan (Olympic Mullingar) V Jonathan Hughes (Jobstown)
44.5kg Sean Roche (Mount Tallant) V Winner
44.5kg Eoin Higgins (St Davids Naas) V Michael Stokes (St Michaels Athy)
44.5kg Eoghan Quinn (St Johns Derry) V Michael McDonagh (Darndale)
44.5kg Ronan Conneely (Galway) V Keelyn Roche (St Aidans)
46kg Steve Cairns (Loughmahon) V Winner
46kg Winner V Adam Kinsella (Arklow)
46kg David Kinsella (St Anthonys /Pats) V Winner
46kg Winner V Thomas Orr (Lisburn)
48kg James Whelan (Dublin Docklands) V Winner
48kg Winner V Ben Johnston (St Pauls A)
48kg Dean Powell (Kilcullen) V Winner
48kg Winner V Thomas Joyce (Darndale)
50kg Arthur McDonagh (Sparticus) V Levi Dundon (O.L.O.L.)
50kg Patrick McDonagh (Kilnamanagh) V Ben Farrelly (Crumlin)
50kg Michael Ward (Johnstown) V Sean Byrne (Whitechurch)
50kg Jamie Collins (Ballina) V Thomas McCann (St Pauls Antrim)
50kg Shane McClave (Old School) V Adam Lonergan (Clonmel)
50kg Mickey McGregor (Holy Trinity) V Laurentiu Micusa (Curragh)
52kg Michael O’Donnell (Letterkenny) V David Briggs (Monivea)
52kg Darragh Reddan (St Davids Naas) V Thomas Doyle (Portlaoise)
52kg Sam Loenard (St Marys Dublin) V Aaroon O’Keeffe (Kanturk)
52kg Ryan Lee (Mullingar Elite) V Evan Carey (Drogheda)

Friday June 10th

Q/Finals (7pm)

36kg Dylan Stokes (Crumlin) V Johnny Joyce (Olympic Mullingar)
38.5kg Winner V Winner
38.5kg Winner V Winner
38.5kg Winner V Winner
38.5kg Winner V Winner
50kg Shane O’Gorman (St Malachys) V Winner
50kg Winner V Winner
50kg Winner V Winner
50kg Winner V Ethan McCaul (St Josephs U)
52kg Paddy Myers (Sligo City) V Winner
52kg Winner V Jack Murphy (St Ibars)
52kg Paul Costello(Dealgan) V Winner
52kg Winner V Luka Gureshidze (Togher)
56kg Eoghan Lavin (Ballyhaunis) V Winner
56kg Cyril Cogan (Cherry Orchard) V Thomas Doherty (Trinity Boys)
56kg Patrick Lawlor (Brian Dillons) V Jamie Lee (St Malachys)
56kg John T McDonagh (Lumpini) V Darragh Gilroy (Ballymore Hollywood)
59kg Kian O’Brien (Clara) V Jason Irwan (Castleblaney)
59kg Michael Lynch (Mullinahone) V Luke Maguire (Drogheda)
59kg Martin Ward (Ryston) V Martin O’Connor (Enniscorthy)
62kg Conor McKernan (Castleblaney) V Luke Byrne Doyle (Callan)
76+kg Kenneth Dempsey (Achill) V Martin McDonagh (Olympic)

Saturday June 11th

S/Finals (10am)

31kg Diarmuid Bradley (Holy Trinity) V Tiernan O’Neill (St Pauls Antrim)
33kg Michael Maughan (Olympic) V Jack Desmond (Bantry)
33kg Oisin Mulholland (East Down) V Conor Mullan (St Pauls Antrim)
36kg Paddy McShane (Letterkenny) V Winner
36kg Jake Ward (Darndale) v Odhran McInerney (Portlaoise)
36kg Jake Ward (Darndale) V Dylans Stokes (Crumlin)
38.5kg Winner V Winner
38.5kg Winner V Winner
40kg Winner V Winner
40kg Winner V Winner
41.5kg Winner V Winner
41.5kg Winner V Winner
43kg Winner V Winner
43kg Winner V Winner
44.5kg Winner V Winner
44.5kg Winner V Winner
46kg Winner V Winner
46kg Winner V Winner
48kg Winner V Winner
48kg Winner V Winner
50kg Winner V Winner
50kg Winner V Winner
52kg Winner V Winner
52kg Winner V Winner
54kg Tiernan Mayse (2 Castles) V Winner
54kg Winner V Winner
56kg Winner V Winner
56kg Winner V Winner
59kg Patrick Joyce (Phibsboro) V Winner
59kg Winner V Winner
62kg Matthew Tyndall (Monkstown D) V Winner
62kg Patrick McDonagh (Clonoe) V Hugh Maguire)
65kg Adam Healy (Sentanta) V Jordan Coffey (Sliabh Luachra)
65kg Sean Walsh (Trojan) V William Hayden (Crumlin)
68kg Darragh Farrell (St Josephs Edenderry) V Darren Darcy (Mullinahone)
68kg Kieran Quinn (Emerald) V Jason Myers (Titans)
76kg Ben O’Connell (St Johns Derry) V James Sweeney (Titans)
76+kg John Sweeney (Ennis) V Winner
76+kg Stephen C Lawrence (Ballina) V Nojus Ivanauskas (Clane)

Friday June 17th

Finals (7pm)

27kg Daniel Owens (Gleann) W/O
31kg Michael Donohue (St Michael Athy) V Winner
33kg Winner V Winner
36kg Winner V Winner
38.5kg Winner V Winner
40kg Winner V Winner
41.5kg Winner V Winner
43kg Winner V Winner
44.5kg Winner V Winner
46kg Winner V Winner
48kg Winner V Winner
50kg Winner V Winner
52kg Winner V Winner
54kg Winner V Winner
56kg Winner V Winner
59kg Winner V Winner
62kg Winner V Winner
65kg Winner V Winner
68kg Winner V Winner
72kg Michael McDonagh (3 Bridges) V Jamie Edwards (Crumlin)
76kg Thomas Doherty (Baldoyle) V Winner
76+kg Winner V Winner

Sean Crowlet with his grandson, also Sean Crowley, at the national Stadium

Sean Crowley received one of the most well deserved standing ovations in the history of Irish boxing from officers and delegates at the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) Central Council meeting at the National Stadium in Dublin last Saturday after announcing his decision to step down as National Secretary.

Pat Ryan, President of the IABA, Joe Hernon, Vice President, Stephen Connolly, National Registrar, Larry Morrison, Treasurer and the Presidents of all the Provincial Councils hailed his work and exemplary service at IABA headquarters.

The Cork-born IABA stalwart, who boxed with the Fermoy BC and Thurles BC in his youth, admitted that the meeting was an emotional moment at the home of Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport.

A Fermoy man now living in Arklow, Sean Crowley has served as National Secretary for almost twenty years under four IABA Presidents, Breandan O Conaire, Dominic O’Rourke, Tommy Murphy and Pat Ryan.

Sean Crowley opening address at National Senior finals night

The man from the Rebel County, who was first appointed National Secretary in March 1997 after serving for three years as Leinster Secretary, has witnessed many changes both inside and outside the ring.

He said: “I have has seen the rules for helmets for men come and go and have seen the advancement in women’s boxing, both numerically, and, more pertinently, in the rise in standards as epitomised by the recent World Championships in Kazakhstan which featured some fantastic boxing.”

Known as the “voice of Irish boxing”, he presented thirty National Senior Championships and also represented Ireland in his capacity as National Secretary at seven International Boxing Association (AIBA) Congress meetings in Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, USA and Santo Domingo, where current AIBA President, Dr. CK Wu, was first elected AIBA President in 2006.

Describing the current era as a good as any golden epoch in Irish boxing, Sean Crowley signalled out the Olympic gold medal wins for Michael Carruth and Katie Taylor and the performances of all Irish squads in international competition as glorious moments in the history of Irish boxing.

But he wouldn’t be drawn on who is his favourite Irish boxer!

“That’s a loaded question,“ he laughed. “There have been so many brilliant athletes in our sport. Michael and Katie winning Olympic gold, very proud moments, and our various squads of all ages, men and women, taking on the best in the world and bringing home medals. Fantastic performances against the top nations.

“We have a talented new crop coming through at Youth and Junior level, both male and female,
and I’m looking forward to the results from World and European competition in the near future.”

The outgoing National Secretary wished incoming National Secretary Al Morris, who described his predecessor as a fantastic servant of Irish boxing, the very best of luck and thanked Ireland’s clubs.

“A very special thank you to all the clubs for their faith in me and continuously voting me into office since 1997. It’s has been a privilege to serve the Association for almost twenty years.”

“I would also like to thank all within Irish boxing for their help and support throughout almost two decades and wish Al Morris the very best of luck as the new National Secretary. My door is always open to anyone requiring advice,” added Ireland’s most experienced boxing administrator.