Ireland’s finest boxing talents are gearing up for the historic Strandja Tournament, set to commence on February 23rd in Sofia, Bulgaria. A formidable team of 20 boxers, including Olympians and world-class medalists, has been announced to represent the green and gold in one of Europe’s most esteemed multi-nation boxing competitions.
The Strandja Tournament, renowned for attracting top-tier boxing talent from across the globe, will see Team Ireland pitted against powerhouse nations such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and China. This year’s tournament holds added significance as it precedes the inaugural World Boxing Cup by a mere six weeks, scheduled to begin on April 20th.
Team Ireland boasts an impressive lineup, featuring 2025 World bronze medalist Patsy Joyce (55kg), Olympian Grainne Walsh (65kg), and double Olympian Michaela Walsh (57kg). The team also includes Paris Olympians Daina Moorehouse (50kg), Jennifer Lehane (54kg), Jude Gallagher (60kg), Dean Clancy (65kg), and Jack Marley (90kg). Adding to the team’s prowess are European medalists Louis Rooney (50kg), Caitlin Fryers (51kg), Niamh Fay (57kg), and Evelyn Igharo (70kg).
The selected boxers hail from clubs across nine counties, showcasing the nationwide depth of Irish boxing talent. Antrim, Dublin, Galway, Leitrim, Louth, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, and Wicklow will all have representatives in the Irish corner.
Interim High-Performance Head Coach Damian Kennedy will lead the team in Bulgaria. Kennedy expressed his confidence in the team’s preparation, stating, “The Strandja Tournament is one of the most challenging competitions our boxers will encounter outside of major championships. It consistently draws the best boxing nations worldwide. Our team has demonstrated exceptional training, readiness, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure, as evidenced in last week’s test match series with France. We aim for them to use this tournament as a benchmark against the world’s best.”
High-Performance Director Jon Mackey echoed Kennedy’s sentiments, praising the team’s sharpness and crediting the coaching staff for their diligent work. Mackey highlighted that the tournament is a crucial part of the second stage of their selection process, which began with the 2026 Elite Championships last month. The team is a blend of seasoned champions and emerging talents, promising a dynamic and competitive squad.
Team Ireland’s full lineup is as follows:
- 50kg: Louis Rooney, Star BC, Belfast
- 51kg: Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Wicklow
- 51kg: Caitlin Fryers, Immaculata BC, Belfast
- 54kg: Jennifer Lehane, DCU BC, Dublin
- 55kg: Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC, Mullingar
- 57kg: Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG, Belfast
- 57kg: Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin
- 60kg: Jude Gallagher, Two Castles OBA, Tyrone
- 60kg: Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway
- 60kg: Kellie McLoughlin, St. Catherine’s BC, Dublin
- 65kg: Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim
- 65kg: Jason Nevin, Olympic BC, Mullingar
- 65kg: Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght
- 70kg: Jon McConnell, Holy Trinity BC, Belfast
- 70kg: Terry McEntee, DCU BC, Dublin
- 70kg: Evelyn Igharo, Clann Naofa BC, Louth
- 80kg: Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown BC, Dublin
- 80kg: Kelyn Cassidy, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford
- 85kg: Nathan Ojo, Esker BC, Dublin
As the countdown to the Strandja Tournament begins, all eyes will be on Team Ireland as they aim to make their mark on the international stage.
Team_TBE Boxing
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