AIBA World No. 1 ranked bantam Michael Conlan features in Road To Rio on RTE Wednesday night (8.30pm)

The six-part RTE series captures the ecstatic highs and crushing lows as Ireland’s medal hopefuls – across a range of disciplines – train, compete and try to qualify for Rio 2016.

The audience will watch as the tension builds before big qualifying events,as these athletes strive to reach the pinnacle of sporting achievement- the Olympics.

Focusing not just on sport, this observational documentary series also draws a clearer picture of these exceptional people and how they balance a world-class training regimes with living their everyday lives.

Conlan, Paddy Barnes, Brendan Irvine, David Oliver Joyce, Steven Donnelly and Joe Ward have booked tickets for Rio.

Conlan has the distinction of actually qualifying twice – just to be sure!

The Belfast ace, who is also the current European champion, initially qualified via the World Series of Boxing (WSB) in 2015 and then qualified again after becoming the first Irish male boxer to win AIBA World Elite gold in Doha, Qatar last November.

Consequently, the World place prevailed and he had to “vacate” the spot he earned through the WSB, which went back to the next placed WSB boxer which happened to be Cuba’s Andy Cruz.

Conlan is with the Irish Elite squad at the Institute of Sport in Abbotstown this week training and sparring with Great Britain, Germany, India and Kazakhstan at a world class IABA hosted training camp.

All five nations have qualified 30 boxers for Rio so far with three qualifiers remaining. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan lead the way with eleven boxers each over the line.

Ireland and Kazakhstan, who finished in joint 5th spot in the medals table at the London 2012 Olympics, meet in a test match at Dubin’s National Stadium on Wednesday night.

Team Ireland are gearing up for a crucial test in Central Asia.

The World Women’s Elite Championships and Olympic qualifiers begin in Astana, Kazakhstan in under two weeks.

The top four boxers (semi-finalists) in each of the three Olympic weights for women – flyweight, lightweight and middleweight – qualify for Rio.

The other seven weights will be targeting medals at the 9th edition of the tournament.

Donna Barr, Ceire Smith, Dervla Duffy, Moira McElligot, Kelly Harrington, Grainne Walsh and Christina Desmond finished up a training camp at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield last weekend.

The squad trained and sparred with Great Britain, the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Sweden.

Katie Taylor has been training and sparring with Russian southpaw Sofya Ochigava at the Irish Institute of Sport in Abbotstown since last Tuesday.

The Irish Elite men’s squad, London 2012 finalists Taylor and Ochigava, Great Britain, India and Kazakhstan are in Abbotstown at a world class IABA hosted training camp. Germany are due to arrive tomorrow.

All five nations have qualified 30 boxers for Rio 2016 so far.

The World Women’s Championships begin on May 19. Thirty lightweight bouts will be decided on Day 1 of the tournament, according to the official website. Click here.

Team Ireland leave for Kazakhstan on Friday.

Meantime, Ireland meet Kazakhstan in a test match at the National Stadium on Wednesday night. Admission is €5 for adults and children are free.

(In the event of boxers making the qualification standard for Rio 2016 at the Continental qualifiers and also making the standard again – qualifying for the same Olympics twice – at the World Women’s Championships, the World places prevail and the places earned through the Continental qualifiers go back to the winners (or both) of the 3rd and 4th place box-offs at the Continental qualifiers.

 

IABA National Registrar Stephen Connolly oversaw the exams for 5 new Referee/Judges and 10 new Judges at the Ulster Girls Finals in the Illies Golden Gloves clubrooms, Buncrana, Co. Donegal yesterday.

History was made with Noreen Glendinning from Errigal BC Co. Derry and Ann-Marie Norton from Hillview BC Co. Antrim qualifying as the first Women Referee/Judges in their respective Co. Boards.

A further 10 new Judges also qualified – Charlie Mc Donagh Omagh B/A, Noel Mc Gonigle & Paul Mc Gettigan St. Bridgets Clonmany, Danny Deighan Errigal, Dean Mc Cabe St. John Bosco Newry, John Lavelle & Aidan Lavelle Silverbridge, Brendan Quinn & Danny Donnelly St. Jarlaths and Conor Wallace St. Monicas.

 

 

 
The four outstanding finals from the U/18 Championships will be decided on Friday at the National Stadium in Dublin. Boxing begins at 7pm.

Weigh-ins – 8am to 9am and 12pm to 1pm.

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association are using the National U/18 Competition as part of their selection process for the European Youth Championships which begin in Anapa, Russia on June 6.

 

National U/18 Competition National Stadium Dublin

Friday May 13th

Finals

52kg Terry McEntee (Old School) V Craig Kavanagh (Crumlin)
56kg James McGivern (St Georges) V Nathan May (Dublin Docklands)
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillons) V Paddy Donovan (OLOL)
64kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) V Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)

May 7th

S/finals

52kg Terry McEntee (Old School) beat Thomas McCarthy (Mayfield) 3-0
52kg Craig Kavanagh (Crumlin) beat Scott O’Connor (Ryston) 3-0
56kg James McGivern (St Georges) beat Sean Purcell (Enniskerry) 3-0
56kg Nathan May (Dublin Docklands) beat Jack Kelly (Cherry Orchard) 3-0
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillons) beat Andy McDonagh (St Pauls W) 2-1
60kg Paddy Donovan (OLOL) beat Kenneth Doyle (Monkstown Dublin) 2-1
64kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat Conor Ivors (Thurles) 2-1
64kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) beat Aaron Gethins (Ballinacarrow) 3-0

Finals
49kg Jordan Lynch (Glasnevin) beat Conor Dempsey (Immaculata) 3-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) beat Jordan Meredith (Glasnevin) TKO2
75kg Rhys Moran (St Pauls Waterford) beat Tommy Hyde (Setanta) 2-1
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys Daingean) beat Cathal Griffin (Connemara) 3-0
91kg Martin Jim Mongan (Ennis) beat Michael McCarthy (Tullamore) TKO2
91+kg Martin John Mongan (Ennis) beat Frank Carr (Ballinrobe) 3-0

May 6th

Q/Finals

52kg Terry McEntee (Old School) beat Shane Flavin (Paulstown) 2-1
52kg Craig Kavanagh (Crumlin) beat Conor Quinn (Clonard) 2-1
52kg Scott O’Connor (Ryston) W/O
56kg James McGivern (St Georges) beat Patryk Adamus (St Matthews) 3-0
56kg Sean Purcell (Enniskerry) beat Sean Browne (West Finglas) 3-0
56kg Jack Kelly (Cherry Orchard) beat Eoin Long (Wexford CBS) 3-0
56kg Nathan May (Dublin Docklands) beat Mark McMonagle (Dungloe) 3-0
60kg Andy McDonagh (St Pauls W) beat Mathew McCole (Dungloe) 3-0
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillons) beat Dylan McDonagh (Arbourhill) 3-0
60kg Kenneth Doyle (Monkstown Dublin) beat Evan Fitzgerald (Esker) 3-0
60kg Paddy Donovan (OLOL) beat Eugene McKeever (Holy Family D) 3-0
64kg Conor Ivors (Thurles) beat Michael Avetisian (Glasnevin) TKOI2
64kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat Joe Nevin (Cavan) 2-1
52kg Thomas McCarthy (Mayfield) beat Robbie Gould (Monkstown A) 3-0
64kg Aaron Gethins (Ballinacarrow) W/O
64kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) beat Oran Keddle (St Brinaghs) 3-0

Semi-finals

49kg Jordan Lynch (Glasnevin) beat Liam Glennon (St Josephs Derry) 3-0
69kg Jordan Meredith (Glasnevin) beat James Cahill (St Teresas) 3-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) beat Michael Nevin (Portlaoise) 2-1
75kg Rhys Moran (St Pauls Waterford) beat Adam Esdale (Monkstown A) 2-1
75kg Tommy Hyde (Setanta) beat Christy O’Reilly (Bracken) 2-1
81kg Cathal Griffin (Connemara) beat Reece Morris (Dublin Docklands) 2-1
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys Daingean) beat Jimmy O’Reilly (Portlaoise) 3-0
91kg Martin Jim Mongan (Ennis) beat Wayne Rafferety (St Cianans) 2-1
91kg Michael McCarthy (Tullamore) W/O
91+kg Frank Carr (Ballinrobe) beat James Clarke (Kilnamanagh) 3-0
91+kg Martin John Mongan (Ennis) beat Kevin Sheehy (St Francis) 3-0

April 30th (Prelims)

52kg Michael Kinsella (St Anthonys/Pats) beat Tommy O’Neill (St Francis) 3-0
52kg Scott O’Connor (Ryston) beat Odhran McRuairi (Dungloe) 3-0
56kg Nathan May (Dublin Docklands) beat Kevin McMonagle (Dungloe) 3-0
60kg Dylan McDonagh (Arbourhill) W/O
60kg Kenneth Doyle (Monkstown Dublin) beat Sean Spillane (Thurles) 3-0
60kg Evan Fitzgerald (Esker) beat Patrick Cullen (Ballagh) TKO2
60kg Paddy Donovan (O.L.O.L) W/O
60kg Eugene McKeever (Holy Family D) beat Matthew Murnion (St Bronaghs) 3-0
64kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) beat Airijus Vitlipas (St Davids Naas) 3-0

Q/Finals

69kg James Cahill (St Teresas) beat Lewis Spellman (West Finglas) TKO3
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) beat Jordan Myers (Sligo City) 3-0
69kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise) beat Cameron Bennett (Bracken) TKO2
75kg Adam Esdale (Monkstown Antrim) beat Rory Duffy (Omeath) TKO1
75kg Rhys Moran (St Pauls Waterford) beat Peter Carr (Crumlin) 2-0
75kg Christy O’Reilly (Bracken) beat Kevin Kehoe (Marble City) 2-1
75kg Tommy Hyde (Setanta) beat Jason Clancy (Ballinacarrow) 2-1
81kg Reece Morris (Dublin Docklands) beat Owen O’Neill (Ballagh) 3-0
81kg Jimmy O’Reilly (Portlaoise) beat Darragh Murray (Elite Mullingar) 3-0
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys Daingean) beat Paddy McConigley (Letterkenny) 3-0
91+kg Martin John Mongan (Ennis) beat Barry Ward (Gurteen) 3-0

Six new Irish champions were crowned at the National Stadium in Dublin this afternoon.

Jordan Lynch, Brett McGinty, Rhys Moran, Brian Kennedy, Martin Jim Mongan and Martin John Mongan had their hands raised in victory in the U/18 finals.

Martin Jim and Martin John secured a double for the Ennis BC in the heavyweight and super-heavyweight classes in a proud day for the Clare club.

The fly,bantam,light and light-welter semi-finals were also decided today, with Terry McEntee, Craig Kavanagh, James McGivern, Nathan May, Oliver McCarthy, Paddy Donovan, Jason Harty and Kieran Molloy emerging victorious.

The outstanding finals will be decided next Friday.

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association are using the National U/18 Competition as part of their selection process for the European Youth Championships which begin in Anapa, Russia on June 6.

(Pictures courtesy of Paddy Gallagher)

National U/18 Competition National Stadium Dublin

Friday May 6th

Q/Finals

52kg Terry McEntee (Old School) beat Shane Flavin (Paulstown) 2-1
52kg Craig Kavanagh (Crumlin) beat Conor Quinn (Clonard) 2-1
52kg Scott O’Connor (Ryston) W/O
56kg James McGivern (St Georges) beat Patryk Adamus (St Matthews) 3-0
56kg Sean Purcell (Enniskerry) beat Sean Browne (West Finglas) 3-0
56kg Jack Kelly (Cherry Orchard) beat Eoin Long (Wexford CBS) 3-0
56kg Nathan May (Dublin Docklands) beat Mark McMonagle (Dungloe) 3-0
60kg Andy McDonagh (St Pauls W) beat Mathew McCole (Dungloe) 3-0
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillons) beat Dylan McDonagh (Arbourhill) 3-0
60kg Kenneth Doyle (Monkstown Dublin) beat Evan Fitzgerald (Esker) 3-0
60kg Paddy Donovan (OLOL) beat Eugene McKeever (Holy Family D) 3-0
64kg Conor Ivors (Thurles) beat Michael Avetisian (Glasnevin) TKOI2
64kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat Joe Nevin (Cavan) 2-1
52kg Thomas McCarthy (Mayfield) beat Robbie Gould (Monkstown A) 3-0
64kg Aaron Gethins (Ballinacarrow) W/O
64kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) beat Oran Keddle (St Brinaghs) 3-0

Semi-finals

49kg Jordan Lynch (Glasnevin) beat Liam Glennon (St Josephs Derry) 3-0
69kg Jordan Meredith (Glasnevin) beat James Cahill (St Teresas) 3-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) beat Michael Nevin (Portlaoise) 2-1
75kg Rhys Moran (St Pauls Waterford) beat Adam Esdale (Monkstown A) 2-1
75kg Tommy Hyde (Setanta) beat Christy O’Reilly (Bracken) 2-1
81kg Cathal Griffin (Connemara) beat Reece Morris (Dublin Docklands) 2-1
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys Daingean) beat Jimmy O’Reilly (Portlaoise) 3-0
91kg Martin Jim Mongan (Ennis) beat Wayne Rafferety (St Cianans) 2-1
91kg Michael McCarthy (Tullamore) W/O
91+kg Frank Carr (Ballinrobe) beat James Clarke (Kilnamanagh) 3-0
91+kg Martin John Mongan (Ennis) beat Kevin Sheehy (St Francis) 3-0

Saturday May 7th (11am)

S/finals

52kg Terry McEntee (Old School) beat Thomas McCarthy (Mayfield) 3-0
52kg Craig Kavanagh (Crumlin) beat Scott O’Connor (Ryston) 3-0
56kg James McGivern (St Georges) beat Sean Purcell (Enniskerry) 3-0
56kg Nathan May (Dublin Docklands) beat Jack Kelly (Cherry Orchard) 3-0
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillons) beat Andy McDonagh (St Pauls W) 2-1
60kg Paddy Donovan (OLOL) beat Kenneth Doyle (Monkstown Dublin) 2-1
64kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) beat Conor Ivors (Thurles) 2-1
64kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) beat Aaron Gethins (Ballinacarrow) 3-0

Finals
49kg Jordan Lynch (Glasnevin) beat Conor Dempsey (Immaculata) 3-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) beat Jordan Meredith (Glasnevin) TKO2
75kg Rhys Moran (St Pauls Waterford) beat Tommy Hyde (Setanta) 2-1
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys Daingean) beat Cathal Griffin (Connemara) 3-0
91kg Martin Jim Mongan (Ennis) beat Michael McCarthy (Tullamore) TKO2
91+kg Martin John Mongan (Ennis) beat Frank Carr (Ballinrobe) 3-0

Friday May 13th

Finals

52kg Terry McEntee (Old School) V Craig Kavanagh (Crumlin)
56kg James McGivern (St Georges) V Nathan May (Dublin Docklands)
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillons) V Paddy Donovan (OLOL)
64kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) V Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)

April 30th (Prelims)

52kg Michael Kinsella (St Anthonys/Pats) beat Tommy O’Neill (St Francis) 3-0
52kg Scott O’Connor (Ryston) beat Odhran McRuairi (Dungloe) 3-0
56kg Nathan May (Dublin Docklands) beat Kevin McMonagle (Dungloe) 3-0
60kg Dylan McDonagh (Arbourhill) W/O
60kg Kenneth Doyle (Monkstown Dublin) beat Sean Spillane (Thurles) 3-0
60kg Evan Fitzgerald (Esker) beat Patrick Cullen (Ballagh) TKO2
60kg Paddy Donovan (O.L.O.L) W/O
60kg Eugene McKeever (Holy Family D) beat Matthew Murnion (St Bronaghs) 3-0
64kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) beat Airijus Vitlipas (St Davids Naas) 3-0

Q/Finals

69kg James Cahill (St Teresas) beat Lewis Spellman (West Finglas) TKO3
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) beat Jordan Myers (Sligo City) 3-0
69kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise) beat Cameron Bennett (Bracken) TKO2
75kg Adam Esdale (Monkstown Antrim) beat Rory Duffy (Omeath) TKO1
75kg Rhys Moran (St Pauls Waterford) beat Peter Carr (Crumlin) 2-0
75kg Christy O’Reilly (Bracken) beat Kevin Kehoe (Marble City) 2-1
75kg Tommy Hyde (Setanta) beat Jason Clancy (Ballinacarrow) 2-1
81kg Reece Morris (Dublin Docklands) beat Owen O’Neill (Ballagh) 3-0
81kg Jimmy O’Reilly (Portlaoise) beat Darragh Murray (Elite Mullingar) 3-0
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys Daingean) beat Paddy McConigley (Letterkenny) 3-0
91+kg Martin John Mongan (Ennis) beat Barry Ward (Gurteen) 3-0