Less than 24 hours after Kieran Molloy retained his Irish Elite welter belt after a classic welterweight final with Paddy Donovan, he was back at the National Stadium gym to encourage the next generation.

“Our 2019 Elite 69KG Champion Kieran Molloy brought his Champions Cup to Sunday mornings Elite Schoolboys and Schoolgirls squad training on a visit to his old stomping ground. Kieran explained to those present that this is where he started as an Irish Champion many years ago and that with hard work, they too can achieve Elite titles and more, in the years ahead. Hard work pays off!”

(Images and copy courtesy of Paddy Gallagher)

Five Elite belts headed West overnight from Dublin’s National Stadium  – and the Best Male Boxer Award, the second successive year it has gone to Galway courtesy of Gabriel Dossen this weekend and Kieran Molloy in 2018.

Meantime, Antrim’s Michaela Walsh claimed title number 8 in the feather class last night and is honing in on Ken Egan’s and Jim O’Sullivan’s record of ten belts each.

Feather is one of the new Olympic weights for women, and Walsh, a European Elite medallist and two-time Commonwealth finalist. reckons the rest of 2019 is going to be exciting.

“I thought I had a great performance. It was great to be back, and a great start to what is going to be an amazing year,” said the former World Youth medallist.

(Pictures courtesy of Paddy Gallagher)

Above

Five titles heading west – Dossen, Molloy, Hession, O’Rourke and O’Toole

Michaela Walsh

Below

Four titles going to Galway

Kieran Molloy with his backroom team

Kieran Molloy with his dad Stephen after retaining his 69kg title

Adam Hession is the new 52kg Elite champion

Adam Hession jumps for joy

Everyone wants to talk to new Elite champion Patryk Adamus (with John Stapleton)

Please scroll down for extra pictures from last night’s Elite finals at Dublin’s National Stadium.

Following a thrilling night of competition, 20 champions were crowned at the home of Irish boxing.

Pictures:  New champions Christina Desmond and Gabriel Dossen, above, show off their Best Boxer Awards with Anna Moore and Peter O’Donnell and Adam Hession and Kieran Molloy make a fair attempt to break the world high jump record.

(Pictures courtesy of Tara Robins Mari)

Please scroll down for pictures from last night’s Elite finals.

Galway’s Gabriel Dossen and Cork’s Christina Desmond, both former World Youth medallists, claimed the Best Male and Female boxers Awards.

Pictures courtesy of Michael Hade.

Links courtesy of today’s Sunday Times and RTE – by IABA.