A team of seven Irish boxers are gearing up to compete in the final qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games starting this week. The lineup includes European Games athletes Daina Moorehouse (50kg), Jennifer Lehane (54kg), and Grainne Walsh (66kg).
The Paris Boxing Unit confirmed a record number of boxers have entered the second Olympic World Qualifier, surpassing the 602 registered for the event in Milan. As a result, the competition has been brought forward to begin on May 24th until June 3rd. Boxers will fight to secure their spots in Paris, with no semi-finals, finals, or medals awarded. In four of the weight categories that Ireland is contesting in Bangkok, four Paris quota places are available.
The Irish team’s preparations have been extensive, including a multi-nation training camp in Assisi, Italy, participation in the first Olympic World Qualifier in Milan, a dual-nations training camp and international with Ukraine in Castlerea, and an upcoming multi-nations camp in Hua Hin, Thailand.
High Performance Director Tricia Heberle said: “This is a highly focused team of exceptional athletes. Every boxer, having contested the 1st Olympic World qualifier, knows the task ahead of them. Their commitment to training and self-improvement has been strongly led by Head Coach Zauri Antia and ably supported by Damian Kennedy, Eoin Pluck, James Doyle and Lynne McEnery."
"We have set a target of 8 qualifications for the Paris Olympic Games and with 6 of these already achieved at the 2023 European Games and 1st Olympic World Qualifier, we are on track," Herberle added.
The Irish team aims to add to the six boxers who have already qualified for Paris: reigning Olympic lightweight champion Kellie Harrington, double Olympians Michaela Walsh (57kg) and Aoife O’Rourke (75kg), Jude Gallagher (57kg), Dean Clancy (63.5kg), and Jack Marley (92kg). Grainne Walsh came agonisingly close to qualifying in March, but missed out due to a highly controversial split decision defeat in her Olympic qualification bout at the qualification tournament in Italy.
In total, 248 boxers will compete in Paris 2024, with equal representation of 124 women and 124 men. France, as the host nation, has secured six automatic quotas, and nine Universality Places will also be awarded.
High Performance Head Coach Zauri Antia acknowledged the challenge ahead: “The competition in Bangkok will be tough. Boxers are chasing their last chance to become Paris Olympians and will battle to the final bell. It is a great honour, and a remarkable achievement, to box for Ireland at this level, in the hope of becoming an Olympian.”
The 2nd World Boxing Qualification Tournament will begin on 24 May until 3 June 2024 and will be streamed live on Olympics.com.
Team:
50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Co. Wicklow
54kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin
66kg Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght, Dublin
51kg Sean Mari, Monkstown BC, Dublin
71kg Aidan Walsh, Holy Family Golden Gloves BC, Belfast
80kg Kelyn Cassidy, Saviour’s Crystal, Waterford.
92+kg Martin McDonagh, Galway Boxing Club
