A 24 strong team has been named to contest the European Youth Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The squad has just concluded a week long training camp in Co. Louth, and will depart for Sofia on Tuesday. Key members of the training squad are 44kg Karl Reilly, of Immaculata BC and 46kg Louis Rooney, of Star ABC. Weights for the championship begin at 48kg.

Yasmin Meredith of Corinthians BC and Bobbi Flood of Cabra BC have been named Team Captains.

The draw takes place on Wednesday, April 13th, and boxing begins on April 14th.

Team Ireland Squad:
48kg: Georgia McGovern, Setanta              

48kg: Patsy Joyce, Olympic                           

50kg: Katie O’Keefe, Kanturk                 

51kg: Adam McKenna, Holy Family          

52kg: Esther Lambe, Setanta

54kg: Shakira Donoghue, Templemore 

54kg: Gavin Ryan, Ratoath                        

57kg: Yasmin Meredith, Corinthians: Team Captain        

57kg: John Donoghue, St Michaels Athy

60kg: Jason Nevin, Olympic

63kg: Winnie McDonagh, Neilstown              

63.5kg: Tom McDonnell, Docklands                             

66kg: Gabrielle Mongan, Whitechurch          

67kg: Jim Donovan, Our Lady of Lourdes

70kg: Laura Moran, St Annes

71kg: Bobbi Flood, Cabra: Team Captain.                                   

75kg: Emma Keating, Paulstown                            

75kg: Joshua Olaniyan, Jobstown                             

80kg: Ryan Murphy, Neilstown                             

81kg: Dearbhla Tinnelly, Clann Naofa     

81+kg: Cliona Darcy, Tobar Pheadair   

86kg: Nathan Ojo, Esker

92kg: David J McDonagh, Olympic               

92+kg: Bernie Cawley, St David’s, Naas

Team Manager:          

Anna Moore 

Coaches:                     

James Doyle 

Liam Cunningham 

Aoife Hennigan 

Gerard McDaid 

Jim O’Neill

R & J:                          

Martin O’Neill 

The tournament, hosted by the Buglarian Boxing Association, begins on Monday, April 11th with team arrivals, and runs until April 22nd.

Team Ireland has won a total of 12 medals, 5 of them gold, in the Golden Belt-Nicolae Linca tournament in Tagru Mures, Romania.

Two of those golds, for 48kg Shannon Sweeney and 63kg Amy Broadhurst, came in Friday’s evening session. Both boxers claimed their victories over home contenders.

In the evening session, 57kg Adam Hession received a walkover from his Belgian opponent, which meant he topped the podium.

Next into the ring for Team Ireland was 63.5kg Brandon McCarthy, who contested against Germany’s David Gkevorgkian in a turbulent bout; the Irishman the victor by split decision.

Tokyo bronze medallist Aidan Walsh gave a walkover to his German opponent and comes home with 71kg silver.

Bestowed with their bronze medals today were 57kg Jennifer Lehane, 48kg Ricky Nesbitt, 63.5kg Dean Clancy, 75kg Gabriel Dossen and 80kg Kelyn Cassidy.

The team will depart Tagru Mures on Sunday.

#TeamIreland at Golden Belt-Nicolae Linca https://t.co/xRJNOlHGQo pic.twitter.com/IkPkLuLo4Z

— IABA (@IABABOXING) April 9, 2022

Team Ireland Squad

Women:

W48kg Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s, Mayo: Gold medallist

W57kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU, Dublin: Bronze medallist

W63kg Amy Broadhurst, St. Bronaghs ABC, Rostrevor: Gold medallist

W66kg Gráinne Walsh, Spartacus, Tullamore, Co. Offaly: Silver medallist

W70kg Christina Desmond, Dungarvan BC, Waterford/Garda Boxing Club: Gold medallist

Men:

48kg Rickey Nesbitt, Holy Family, Drogheda: Bronze medallist

57kg Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway: Gold medallist

63.5kg Brandon McCarthy, St. Michael’s Athy: Gold medallist

63.5kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Manorhamilton, Leitrim: Bronze medallist

67kg Eugene McKeever, Holy Family, Drogheda

71kg Aidan Walsh, Emerald , Belfast: Silver medallist

75kg Gabriel Dossen, Olympic, Galway: Bronze medallist

80kg Kelyn Cassidy, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford: Bronze medallist.

Coaches: Dmitrij Dmitruk, Eoin Pluck, Igor Khmil

Physio: Robert Tuomey

R&J: Sean Duffy

Draws are available here

Day One session results are here

Day Two session results are here

Day Three session results are here

Day Four session results are here

Team Ireland will bring home 12 medals in all from the Golden Belt-Nicolae Linca tournament in Tagru Mures, Romania.

Two golds came today – 48kg Shannon Sweeney was decisive and dominant in her final against Steluta Delta of Romania. While 63kg Amy Broadhurst won her way to victory by way of a Round 1 RSC over home boxer, Pita Daniela.

Three boxers won through to tomorrow’s second day of finals, following the completion of semi finals in Tagru Mures today.

57kg Adam Hession contested his semi-final against Giorgi Kapanadze of Georgia, and was the 5-0 winner.

Olympic bronze medallist, 71kg Aidan Walsh, got a unanimous decision win over Davron Bosorov of Moldova

63.5kg Brandon McCarthy was the split decision victor in his semi final with Kenjaey Shobrunhbek of Uzbekistan.

All three will be in action tomorrow.

75kg Gabriel Dossen came out the wrong side of a split decision in his semi-final with Uzbekistan’s Abdulpattaev Zbdulaziz and comes home with a bronze. So, too, does Kelyn Cassidy, contesting at 80kg. He lost his semi-final against Ruzemetov Dilshodbek of Uzbekistan. 48kg Ricky Nesbitt also earned bronze in his semi, against Ukraine. The decision there, a 5-0, went to the Irish boxers opponent. 63.5kg Dean Clancy also comes home with bronze, following his semi final against David Gkevorgkian.

Also getting between the ropes for their finals on Saturday will be 66kg Gráinne Walsh and 70kg Christina Desmond.

The final day’s programme has yet to be issued.

Women:

W48kg Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s, Mayo: Gold medallist

W57kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU, Dublin: Bronze medallist

W63kg Amy Broadhurst, St. Bronaghs ABC, Rostrevor: Gold medallist

W66kg Gráinne Walsh, Spartacus, Tullamore, Co. Offaly: Finalist

W70kg Christina Desmond, Dungarvan BC, Waterford/Garda Boxing Club: Finalist

Men:

48kg Rickey Nesbitt, Holy Family, Drogheda: Bronze medallist

57kg Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway: Finalist

63.5kg Brandon McCarthy, St. Michael’s Athy: Finalist

63.5kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Manorhamilton, Leitrim: Bronze medallist

67kg Eugene McKeever, Holy Family, Drogheda

71kg Aidan Walsh, Emerald , Belfast: Finalist

75kg Gabriel Dossen, Olympic, Galway: Bronze medallist

80kg Kelyn Cassidy, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford: Bronze medallist.

Coaches: Dmitrij Dmitruk, Eoin Pluck, Igor Khmil

Physio: Robert Tuomey

R&J: Sean Duffy

Tournament Schedule:

April 4^th: Preliminaries

April 5^th: Preliminaries

April 6^th: Women’s Semi Finals

April 7^th: Men’s Semi Finals

April 8^th: Women’s Finals

April 9^th: Men’s Finals.

Draws are available here

Day One session results are here

Day Two session results are here

Day Three session results are here

Day Four session results:

Women’s Finals programme:

The IABA is seeking to appoint an Ulster Operations Manager. The successful candidate will work closely with the Ulster Boxing Council and the County Antrim Board, whist being accountable to the IABA. The post will be responsible for the implementation of the IABA Strategic Plan and the Ulster Boxing Council’s implementation Plan, throughout the Province of Ulster.

DURATION OF POST: This post will be funded initially for Duration (2 years) with the possibility of extensions (Probationary period 6 months). LOCATION: House of Sport, 2a Upper Malone Road, Belfast.

Job Description/Main Areas of Responsibility

• To lead a review of the governance arrangements for Boxing in Ulster, ensuring that future governance arrangements reflect best practice governance principles and are in line with the objectives of the IABA and the recommendations within the Independent Review of Boxing in Ulster.
• To be responsible for the strategic development of boxing in Ulster in line with the IABA strategic plan and the Ulster Boxing Council Implementation plan.
• To develop and implement the annual business plan for boxing in Ulster, setting out key goals for the year, targets and resource allocations. To monitor and report on the implementation of the plan to the CEO of the IABA and the relevant provincial structures.
• To take forward plans and programmes to address:
  • club facility development;
  • the establishment of a high performance centre for boxing, and
  • the identification of appropriate neutral venues for training and tournaments across Ulster.
• To work with a range of organisations in NI, the UK and Ireland to progress the development of boxing in Ulster. In particular to promote good practice in relation to equality legislation in Northern Ireland, focusing in particular on agreeing pragmatic solutions to the recommendations contained in the Independent report on Boxing in Ulster.
• Act as the Lead Equality Officer within Ulster on behalf of the IABA ensuring boxing remains committed and progressive in terms of Equality Standards. ▪ To work with staff, office bearers and relevant Committees in the development of policies, procedures, practices and programmes that will ensure good governance, sound financial management and build capacity at all levels of boxing in Ulster.
• To recruit and manage agreed human resources of the organisation working within Ulster according to the authorised personnel policies and procedures of the IABA, ensuring adherence with current laws and regulations.
• To lead and manage agreed marketing and public relation activities with the aim of ensuring that Boxing in Ulster is presented in a positive light to members, the public, the media and any key stakeholders.
• To proactively seek and negotiate all forms of funding in respect of the development of Boxing in Ulster. All agreements are subject to approval of the CEO of the IABA.
• To ensure that all resources owned or leased by the organisation are maintained in good order
• To travel within Northern Ireland, Ireland the UK in order to fulfil the business needs of the organisation.
• To undertake such other reasonable tasks other than those specifically listed herein as requested and directed by the CEO or Board of the IABA.

Personnel Specification

Educational and Professsional qualifications

Essential

• A degree or equivalent 3rd level qualification which can be demonstrated, is relevant to the post; or IABA may consider 5 years experience working in a similar role within an environment which can be proven relevant to the post.

Desirable

• A degree or equivalent 3rd level qualification in a business related subject.

Previous experience( all experience should be demonstrable)

Essential

• 5 years full time (or part time equivalent) experience in a position with responsibility for financial and/or resource management.
• 3 years full time (or part time equivalent) experience in managing staff. *
• 3 years experience of managing or implementing significant change within an organisation.
• Experience of developing, implementing and leading business plans and strategies.
• Experience of developing, implementing and monitoring policies and procedures.
• Experience of leading a project and following it through to a successful conclusion.
• Experience of working within a sports development environment and of sport as a business. Experience of working as part of a team.

Desirable

• Experience of attracting and securing funding/sponsorship.
• Experience of working and/or engaging with voluntary organisations

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of governance requirements and issues within organisations.
• An understanding of and a commitment to the values of the IABA.
• A knowledge and understanding of sport and the sporting landscape in Ulster and Ireland.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of governance requirements within the voluntary and public sector.
• Knowledge of voluntary organisations and of the particular challenges of this sector.
• Knowledge of boxing.

Special Aptitudes

• Competent in the use of Microsoft suite of software including, word and powerpoint.
• A high level of written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• An ability to act on personal initiative and take well evaluated decisions within tight time-frames when necessary.
• A high standard of influencing skills.
• Strong team player, excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Demonstrable leadership skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise with a range of personnel and build relationships.
• Self-motivated and committed.

Circumstances

• Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings and to undertake occasional travel including overnight stays
• Access to a form of transport that will permit the post holder to meet the needs of the post in full.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English

The IABA is an Equal Opportunities employer.

To Apply:

If you would like to apply for the role of IABA Ulster Operations Manager as indicated above, please send a CV outlining your qualifications and experience and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability to the role. Please submit your application to Human Resources Manager, via hr@iaba.ie

Closing date: 5pm on Monday 18th April 2022.

Note: Late applications will not be accepted or considered and canvassing will disqualify.

The funeral has taken place in Belfast today of Ireland’s first Olympic boxing medallist, John McNally.

John, who contested as a bantamweight, was just 20 when he made it to the final of the 1952 Olympic Games, in Helsinki. John overcame Filipino, Italian, and South Korean opposition in the preliminaries, Quarter Final and Semi Final. He was ultimately beaten by home favourite Pentti Hamalainen on a split decision.

Of his bout, John said ‘It was the last day of the Games and the host nation had not yet won a gold medal, so there was a lot of weight on the Finn’s shoulders to deliver. It came down to the three judges and the British judge gave it to me, while the American and the Austrian gave it to Hamalainen. I was devastated and in floods of tears because I was convinced that I had won the gold medal,’

John went on to contest the European Championships in Warsaw the following year and came away with bronze. Before turning pro, he represented Europe against the US in the Golden Gloves and was the victor over three American Golden Gloves champions. He was inducted into the Irish Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.

John’s unprecedented podium finish at Helsinki marked the beginning of an extraordinary 70 years of achievement for Irish boxers at Olympic games. Boxing, as Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport, has claimed 18 of the country’s 35 medals. 9 of Ireland’s boxing medals have been won since 2008.

IABA extends its heartfelt condolences to John’s family and friends, and honours John’s unassailable position in the pantheon of Irish boxing. The IABA’s Chief Executive, Fergal Carruth, says “John was an absolute gentleman and will be fondly remembered by many in the Irish boxing family. A standout, naturally gifted boxer, John paved the way for all of Irish boxing’s Olympic success, winning our first ever medal (silver) in 1952. IABA hall of fame inductee John McNally was the first of a very select group of 18 Irish Olympic boxing medallists when he was beaten by the narrowest of margins by the home country Finnish fighter in the gold medal contest in Helsinki. His success as a boxer will be forever remembered by all who love boxing in Ireland.”

John was buried in Blaris Cemetery following Requiem Mass in St. Anne’s Church, Belfast, this morning.