Twelve formidable boxers have secured their spots in the highly anticipated 2026 National Elite Championship final, set to take place this Saturday. The event marks the thrilling return of double Olympic champion Kellie Harrington to the National Stadium. Harrington is poised to face Kellie McLoughlin of St. Catherine’s BC Dublin, the current Elite champion, who dominated her semi-final match against Ulster Elite champ Ella McDonald with a flawless 5-0 victory. Harrington, in her own right, showcased her prowess by defeating Tramore BC’s Zara Breslin with an identical 5-0 decision.
In another captivating bout, Ide Cashel of Ballymun BC is set to clash with European U23 bronze medalist Tiffany Spencer of Jobstown BC in an all-Dublin final. Cashel earned her place with a unanimous decision win over Carol Coughlan of Monkstown, Dublin. The 50kg category will witness a thrilling encounter between double European U23 medalist and reigning Ulster Elite champ Louis Rooney of Star BC Belfast and multiple Elite champion Sean Mari of Monkstown BC Dublin. Both fighters secured their spots with commanding 5-0 victories over Rickey Nesbitt and Antonio Bozkaya, respectively.
The 55kg final will feature 2025 World bronze medalist Patsy Joyce of Olympic BC Mullingar against Clepson dos Santos of Holy Trinity BC Belfast, who triumphed over Scott Thompson with a 4-1 semi-final win. The finals on January 17th will also see double Olympian and record holder for Elite titles, Michaela Walsh of Holy Family GG Belfast, squaring off against Sarah Cunningham of O’Rourkes BC, Dublin. Both fighters emerged victorious with unanimous decisions in their semi-final matches.
The Women’s 65kg final promises an exciting Dublin versus Cork showdown. World bronze medalist Grainne Walsh of St. Mary’s, Tallaght, secured her place with a 5-0 decision over European U23 medalist Ava Henry. She will face Linda Desmond of Rylane BC Cork, who claimed a unanimous decision victory over reigning Ulster Elite champ Kaci Rock. Additionally, Emma Keating of Paulstown BC, Kilkenny, and Cliona D’Arcy of Tobar Pheadair BC, Galway, have been crowned Elite champions by walkover in the 80kg and 80+kg categories, respectively.
The National Elite Championships, Ireland’s premier amateur boxing tournament, has a rich history dating back to 1922 when it was first hosted at the Abbey Theatre Dublin. The tournament eventually found its permanent home at the purpose-built National Stadium in 1939. Michaela Walsh, a double Olympian and multiple Commonwealth Games medalist, holds the record for the most Elite titles, having secured her 13th at the 2025 National Elite Championships.
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