The Irish Athletic Boxing Association has announced an eight-strong team to contest the IBA Women's World Championships, which are taking place in Nis, Serbia, from 9 to 16 March.
Ireland boycotted the last edition of the championships over governance concerns but remain affiliated to the International Boxing Association, despite a vote that removed all references to that organisation in the IABA's constitution passing at an EGM last October.
There were doubts over boxing's inclusion at the 2028 LA Olympics after the International Olympic Committee revoked its recognition of the IBA as a governing body and ran the sport's programme at Paris itself, something it indicated it was not prepared to do again.
However, the IOC last week provisionally recognised the rival 78-member World Boxing federation, suggesting the IABA will have to switch affiliation to World Boxing order to send a team to LA.
The team includes double Olympian Michaela Walsh (57kg) and her colleagues from Paris Daina Moorehouse (50kg), Jenny Lehane (54kg), and Grainne Walsh (66kg).
The squad also features 2022 World 70kg champion Lisa O'Rourke, her sister Aoife, a four-time continental champion at 75kg who also fought in Paris, and European Under-23 silver medallist Carleigh Irving (48kg).
Judy Bobbett (81+ kg) becomes one of a handful of athletes to represent her country in different sports at elite international level, having played for Ireland as a second row in the 2020 Six Nations championship, while Lisa O'Rourke has been playing in this year's Lidl Ladies National Football League with her native Roscommon.
The squad's preparations have included post-Elite national finals squad training throughout December, January and February, a home sparring camp with France, and an 11-day sparring camp with China in Beijing.
Head Coach Zauri Antia said: "This is a highly talented, and well-prepared team – and its particularly beneficial to their preparations to have spent time training in Beijing with the Chinese first team.
"I am impressed by the focus of these boxers, and by their individual development journeys. These will be a tough World Championships, where there are no easy draws. Every member of the team knows the task ahead and we are ready. It’s an honour to contest for your country, and I would like to congratulate each boxer on their selection and also their clubs, club coaches, and their families."
The team depart for Serbia on Thursday, and will return on St Patrick's Day, with all finals taking place on Sunday, 16 March.
Team Ireland
48kg Carleigh Irving, Oakleaf Boxing Club, Derry
50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry Boxing Club, Wicklow
54kg Jenny Lehane, DCU Athletic Boxing Club, Dublin
57kg Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG, Belfast
66kg Grainne Walsh, St. Mary's BC Tallaght, Dublin
70kg Lisa O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon
75kg Aoife O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon
81+kg Judy Bobbett, Liberty Boxing Club, Wicklow
