Two Team Ireland boxers have won through to the finals of the 2026 European U17 Championships – and four boxers will come home with bronze.
Thomas O’Reilly has up-graded to at least a silver medal. The now two-time European medalist boxed his 75kg semi final against Montenegro’s Veselin Dedic, and was the 4-1 winner, scored 30:27; 29:28; 28:29; 29:28; 29:28. Thomas is back in action, and boxing for gold, on Sunday, taking on England’s Ivor Lee.
Also in action on Sunday will be Paddy Nevin. He took on Azerbaijan’s Hidayat Mammadov in his 70kg semi final – Paddy was down on the cards in round 1, virtually all square in round 2, and claimed 5-0 victory by the final bell on a scoreline of 29:28; 29:27; 29:28; 29:28; 29:28. Paddy is back in action on Sunday, boxing for gold against Poland’s Oliwier Piotrowski
Team Ireland’s Ronan Charles comes home from Budva with bronze. He boxed a very close 46kg quarter final against Azerbaijan’s Hasrat Mammadov, and the 3-2 decision went to his opponent, scored 29:28; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 29:28. Ronan’s is a double European medalist, having claimed silver in the 2025 European U15 Championships. His U17 championship journey has included wins over Deyan Attard of Malta and Andria Piljani of Germany.
Macie Duffy O’Connor also return with bronze. She boxed her 48kg quarter final against Elizaveta Taratynova of Russia, with the 4-0 decision going to her opponent, scored 3025; 30:26; 30:26; 28:28; 30:26, reflecting a point deduction for Macie. Her Championship journey has included wins over Aydan Ismayilli of Azerbaijan and Jenna Dailly of Scotland.
Tipperary’s Rylee Finn will bring home bronze. He contested his 48kg semi final against Russia’s Akmal Dustiev, and the 5-0 decision went to Dustiev on a scoreline of 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. Rylee’s Championships has included wins over Deniss Haschenko of Latvia and Samvel Grigoryan of Armenia
Martin Nevin returns from Montenegro as a European bronze medalist. He contested his 52kg semi final against Ismayil Nasirdaze of Azerbaijan; the unanimous decision went to Nasirdaze, scored 29:28; 30:27; 29:28; 2928; 29:28. Martin has secured keynote wins over Danylo Sielieznov of Ukraine, Levani Tepania of Georgia and Moldova’s Nichita Slepoi during his European championship journey.
The complete championship draw is available here
A record-breaking 473 boxers are contesting the championships, of whom 158 are women and 315 are men. The 40 participating federations are: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine
Team Ireland is led and managed by Shirley Kenney of Curadh BC, and Gabe Cronnelly of Monivea. The team is coached by Ken Moore, St. Francis BC, Limerick; Damien Flood, Cabra BC, Dublin; Linda Morgan, Arklow BC, Wicklow and Gus Farrell, Monivea BC, Galway. Malachy Scott, Glengormley BC, Antrim, has been appointed R&J.
Competition Schedule
Boxing begins on October 3rd; Sunday October 10th is a rest day. All finals and medal ceremonies will take place on Sunday, October 12th. All Afternoon Sessions begin at 1pm, Irish time, and Evening Sessions start at 5pm.
Finals
The finals schedule has not yet been released, but both Thomas and Paddy will box for gold, and Ronan, Rylee, Martin and Macie will be awarded their bronze medals.
Watch Live
The Montengro Boxing Federation is streaming the championships live on its YouTube channel. Links, per ring, are made available on the day of boxing.
Team Ireland
46kg Ronan Charles, Mullingar Elite BC, Westmeath
48kg Macie O’Connor, Cabra BC, Dublin
48kg Rylee Finn, St. Nicholas BC, Tipperary
50kg Lucie Prentice, Banbridge BC, Down
50kg Pat Stokes, Mullingar Shuffler BC, Westmeath
52kg Maisie Flanagan, Muckno BC, Monaghan
52kg Martin Nevin, Mullingar Shuffler BC, Westmeath
54kg Saoirse Donnelly, Setanta BC, Kildare
54kg Sean Kelly, St. Abban’s/Kilmyshall BC, Wexford
57kg Daisy Kiernan, Dealgan BC, Louth
57kg Martin Donovan, Treaty BC, Limerick
60kg Christy Joyce, Olympic BC, Mullingar, Westmeath
63kg Maicey Field, Baldoyle BC, Dublin
63kg John Delaney, Urlingford BC, Kilkenny
66kg Robin O’Reilly, Monkstown BC, Dublin
70kg Paddy Nevin, Mullingar Elite BC, Westmeath
75kg Thomas O’Reilly, Portlaoise BC, Laois
80kg Charlie Dixon, Enniscorthy BC, Wexford.
Support Staff
Team Manager Shirley Kenny, Curadh BC, Wicklow
Team Manager Gabe Cronnelly, Monivea BC, Galway
Coach Ken Moore, St. Francis BC, Limerick
Coach Damien Flood, Cabra BC, Dublin
Coach Linda Morgan, Arklow BC, Wicklow
Coach Gus Farrell, Monivea BC, Galway
R&J Malachy Scott, Glengormley BC, Antrim