Ireland name strong team for EU Championships

An eight-strong Irish squad has been confirmed for the revived European Union Women’s Championships in Italy.

The tournament runs from August 4th to 13th in Cascia in the south east of the country.

Commonwealth silver medalist Michaela Walsh, who missed the Elite Seniors due to injury, is in ahead of champion Terry Mullarney, while Maeve McCarron and Leona Houlihan will not be making the trip.

Following an impressive 2016, World silver medalist Kelly Harrington and World Universities and European bronze medalist Christina Desmond will be looking to add to their tallies here.

World Junior gold and Youth Olympic silver medalist Ciara Ginty will make her major international tournament debut, alongside Belfast’s Carly McNaul, while big punching duo Kristina O’Hara and Grainne Walsh will also hope to be among the medals, as will the experienced Dervla Duffy.

Boxing begins on August 5th at the Hotel Margherita Gym.

The European Union Championships were last held in Romania in 2013 where Katie Taylor won gold in the lightweight division.

At EU level Ireland have won medals through Alanna Nihell, Debbie Rodgers, Louise Traynor, Lauragh O’Neill, and of course five won by Taylor.

European Union Women’s Championships Cascia, Italy August 4th/13th

48kg Kristina O’Hara (St John Bosco)
51kg Carly McNaul (Ormeau Road)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown Antrim)
57kg Dervla Duffy (Ryston)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys)
64kg Ciara Ginty (Geesala)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)