Not to be today for Team Ireland’s Josh Olaniyan in his 77th Strandja tournament quarter final.
The Jobstown BC boxer, contesting at 80kg, took on Ukraine’s Dzhamal Kuliev – a former Strandja champ, European U23 gold medalist. This was a tough, physical contest ending in a 5-0 decision for the Ukrainian boxer. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27.
Josh got two valuable wins under his belt in Sofia: the first, was a 5-0 victory over Allahverdiyev Murad of Azerbaijan in their Last 32 contest. The second was a sensational stoppage win, 34 seconds in to his Last 16 bout, over Dimeji Shittu of England.
In all, 209 men and 129 women are contesting the tournament, Europe’s oldest multi-nations competition. Team Ireland is comprised of 2025 World bronze medalists Patsy Joyce (55kg), Olympian Grainne Walsh (65kg), double Olympian Michaela Walsh (57kg) and Paris Olympians Daina Moorehouse (50kg), Jennifer Lehane (54kg), Jude Gallagher (60kg), Dean Clancy (65kg) and Jack Marley (90kg). Also named European medalists Louis Rooney (50kg), Caitlin Fryers (51kg), Niamh Fay (57kg) and Evelyn Igharo (70kg). The team includes boxers from clubs in 9 counties: Antrim (4), Dublin (8), Galway (1), Leitrim (1), Louth (1), Tyrone (1), Waterford (1), Westmeath (2) and Wicklow (1).
Day Six
Four Team Ireland boxers vie to step up the podium on Saturday – and all box in Ring B’s Afternoon Session, getting underway from midday.
First up is 51kg Caitlin Fryers, the 2022 European silver medalist, taking on Uzbekistan’s Feruza Kazakova in Bout 2. Kazakova was a twice World bronze medalist last year, and the Asian champion at 50kg in 2024.
In the subsequent bout, double Olympian 57kg Michaela Walsh meets American and Paris Olympian, Alyssa Mendoza.
In Bout 4, Michaela’s Team Ireland weight-mate, Niamh Fay, contests for a finals berth against Nigina Uktamova of Uzbekistan. Uktamova is the 2025 World silver medalist at 54kg, while Niamh is a European U23 gold and bronze medalist.
And in Bout 6, 65kg Paris Olympian and World bronze medalist, Grainne Walsh, boxes her semi final against Kazakhstan’s Laura Yessenkeldi
Day Six’s schedule is available here
Watch
The Bulgarian Boxing Federation is expected to stream the tournament, live, on it’s YouTube channel
Links, per ring and session, are generally published on the day of boxing.
Morning sessions begin at 10am, Irish time, while Evening Sessions will get underway at 3pm.
Team Ireland
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
90kg | Jack Marley, Monkstown BC, Dublin
Support Staff
Team Lead & Head Coach | Damian Kennedy
Coach | James Doyle
Coach | Jay Delaney
Coach | Ross Hickey, Grangecon BC, Wicklow
Coach | Paul Simpson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford
Coach | Brendan Irvine, UUJ/ St. Paul’s Belfast
Physio | Rob Tuomey
R&J | Stephen Kelly