Jonny Stapleton
Five young Dubliners will look to add international medals to their domestic collections in Slovenia next month.
Boxers from Crumlin, Ballybrack, Sacred Heart, Driminagh and Cabra have been selected in a strong Team Ireland squad to contest the European School Championships.
The Capital City pugilists will be part of the first underage team to compete at a major international tournament this year after an IABA review.
Ongoing turmoil between the International Boxing Association and International Olympic Council prompted the formation of a breakaway group, which Ireland was initially a part of.
Countries like Ireland, the USA and Great Brittian parted with the IBA with a view to save Olympic boxing, and the move meant Team Ireland didn’t send teams to World and European Championships at all levels.
The Central Council took the independent decision to field a team for this tournament following a review of all federations contesting previous underage European Championships this year. This review included the ongoing European Junior Championships, where competitor nations include breakaway allies Ukraine, England, Scotland and Wales.
The move means a young team will get the chance to bank international experience, test themselves against the best Europe has to offer and potentially secure life-changing success.
The Dubliners among them are Aleigha Murphy, Ella Archbold, Comghnall Guerrine, Darragh Ryan and Senan Kennedy.
Crumlin’s Murphy, whose twin sister Alannah is also a decorated fighter, will compete at 44kg, Archbold of Ballybrack will contest in the weight class above at 46kg, Guerrine represents Ireland at 42 kg and will look to emulate the success of Sacred Heart club mates Brandon Geoghan and Abbey Molloy by winning a European Schools medal.
Ryan will look to add to the storied history of Driminagh with a successful run in the 63kg weight class, while Senan Kennedy will look to establish himself as an international of note and the new kid of the Cabra block with 70kg success.
The tournament is being hosted by the Slovenian Boxing Federation in Maribor, from August 15-26. The draw takes place on August 16, and boxing begins on August 17.
Crumlin’s Aleigha Murphy will be part of Team Ireland in Slovenia
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