Three Team NI boxers have won through to tomorrow’s Commonwealth Games f
Kaci Rock has up-graded her CWG medal from bronze. She was the 3-2 winner over Caitlin Rainey of Scotland in a tight, competitive semi final. Judges scored the bout, scored
Speaking after her bout “Down in the first round, and 3-2 in the second – I knew I needed them judges so I dug deep.” Kaci lost the first round and, she says, she was nervy going in to the second “Knowing that you’re down – Nerve-wracking, coming out this crowd to this crowd, a home crowd for Caitin, she’s amazing and credit to her, she’s so humble. After the first round I knew I needed to stick to the plan, and, here we are! This is something I’ve dreamed about for years, so to be here is amazing. But, we’re not finished yet.
She boxes for gold at 11:30am on Saturday morning against England’s Sasha Hickey.
Michaela Walsh has up-graded her Glasgow medal. The defending featherweigher champion was dominant throughout her 5-0 win over Fiji’s Jasmine Daunakamakama to step up the podium. Judge scored the bout
Speaking on getting out of the ring, Michaela said “Amazing. I remember getting to the final in Glasgwo 2014 against Nicola Adams. The atmosphere and the people were amazing. It was a great fight today. I was nervous, I was – I’m nervous every fight. I felt it a bit more today, I don’t know why. I’m just happy I got in there and stuck to the game plan.” Michaela adds that she thrives off the energy of the crowd “Oh, yeah, definitely. I box all over the world and sometimes you’d be in P.E Halls and have two or three people clapping for you so to have family and friends supporting me, it means the world to me.” The Holy Family BC Belfast boxer vies for gold tomorrow, against Jaismine of India.
Jon McConnell is assured of at least a 70kg silver medal, following a masterclass performance in his semi final against Scotland’s Sonny Kerr where he got the UD win on a scoreline of 27:30; 27:20; 28:29; 27:30; 27:30. Jon says “It was a lot more straightforward that last time, with the point off. I boxed well; didn’t really get out of first gear to be honest with you. I know I had the first two rounds won. He’s a quality lad. A big push tomorrow and go from there”. Jon, of Holy Trinity BC Belfast, is back in action on Saturday, contesting his final against Wales Orlando Holley-Sotomi
Jude Gallagher will come home from Glasgow with bronze, on the narrowest of margins. He boxed a high tempo, highly physical semi final against Tryagain Morning Ndevelo of Namibia
Jude left it all in the ring with high intensity 1st and 2nd rounds, and a powerhouse 3rd, and a powerhouse third round. Judges awarded the 3-2 decision to Ndevelo, scored: 28:29; 28:29; 30: 26; 30:27; 28:29, reflecting a 10-8 third round score from the Slovakian judge.
Speaking after the bout, Jude said: “It was a tight fight, like. I thought I won the first round. I thought the second round was a bit closer, but I still thought I was two rounds up going in to the third – and in that third round I dominated him. Maybe a wee bit unlucky not to give him a count. I just seen the scores on the screen. One judge had it to me 30:26 I think I read. How can one judge give it to me 30:26 and another judge score it against you on whatever score? I’m here to box, I can’t control anything else…I’ll reset, regroup and go again”
Heavyweight Garyn McAllister will return with a bronze medal. He contested a tough, physical semi final against Connor Williams of Wales – the UD went to the Welsh athlete on a scoreline of 29:28; 29:27; 30:27; 30:27; 29:28. Garyn has had a superb Commonwealth Games journey and can rightly be proud.
Superheavy, Willie John McCartan, will also come home with bronze. He was due to contest his semi-final this evening against England’s Damar Thomas, but was withdrawn this morning through injury.
Finals
Three Team NI boxers vie for gold on Saturday.
First up is defending champion Michaela Walsh; she contests against India’s Jaismine – a fellow Paris Olympian. Jaismine is the 2025 World champion and World Boxing Cup gold medalist. They face-off at 11:15am.
Kaci Rock steps between the ropes at 11:45am in the hunt for 65kg gold. She contests against England’s Sasha Hickey
And at 1:15pm, Jon McConnell is back in action. He takes on Welshman, Orlando Holley-Sotomi, a 2025 European U23 bronze medalist.
How to Watch
- Every event will be available exclusively live across all subscription plans, including TNT Sports 2 (The Commonwealth Games 360) and all live event streams. Further details on plans and pricing can be found here.
- EE TV: Customers can enjoy all the action via TNT Sports on HBO Max dependent on their subscription type.
- Sky: Customers can enjoy the full Commonwealth Games experience on TNT Sports and HBO Max, depending on their subscription.
- NOW: Customers can access the Commonwealth Games 360 channel via TNT Sports 2 with a Now Entertainment & HBO Max Membership, and in Ireland via TNT Sports
- Virgin Media TV UK and Ireland: TNT Sports customers can watch the coverage via their set-top box (as well as via HBO Max in the U.K).
- Prime Video: In the UK, coverage is available via a TNT Sports subscription. TNT Sports 2 and all live event streams are also available on any HBO Max subscription.
Team NI
51kg Caitlin Fryers, Immaculata BC
54kg Nicole Clyde, Antrim BC.
55kg Louis Rooney, Star BC
57kg Michaela Walsh, Holy Family BC
60kg Jude Gallagher Two Castles OBA
65kg JP Hale, Star BC
65kg Kaci Rock, Holy Trinity BC
70kg Jon McConnell, Holy Trinity BC
70kg Janssen Hill, Holy Trinity BC
80kg Eoghan Quinn, St John’s, Swatragh
90kg Garyn McAllister, North Down BC
90+kg Willie Jon McCartan, Gilford BC