TeamNI is assured of at least two Glasgow Commonwealth Games medals, following today’s first day of quarter finals.
Kaci Rock will come home with at least bronze medal. The Holy Trinity boxer was utterly dominant in her 65kg quarter final against Niue’s Karen Te Ruki Pasene, forcing three standing counts and coming away with the 5-0 win. Judges scored the bout 30:25; 30:25; 30:25; 30:25; 30:25. Kaci will box for an up-grade on Friday, against home boxer, Caitlin Rainey of Scotland.
Speaking to TNT Sport after her bout, Kaci said “The first one (bout) is always the hardest and especially when there is a medal on the line, so I’m delighted….I didn’t come this far just to come this far. In my mind there are still two more fights. We’re gonna take those one at a time, I’m not rushing anything.’
She adds “A bit slow there today, but it’s been a long wait. I’ve been here a week, no fighting. When I came out I was a bit overwhelmed, seeing the smoke, and the music and all of the people but once you’re focused-in, its only a ring at the end of the day.”
NI’s Gary McAllister will come home from Glasgow with at least a bronze medal. He outclassed his heavyweight quarter final opponent, Ghana’s Jibirl Muntari, to come away with the 5-0 win and a place on the podium. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30.
Speaking to TNT Sport after his bout, Garyn shared his delight “I put in a lot of hard work for this. When I first started boxing, this was one of my nevers. Never did I think I’d win a Commonwealth Games medal!”
And, he adds, he’d had the opportunity to spar Muntari at Boxing Ireland’s pre-CWG camp “Back in Belfast, he was in our sparring camp and I knew exactly what he was going for. He just wanted to land that big shot on me. I’m good on my feet anyway, so I just had to be fast and stay on my toes and that’s what I done. It was easy!”
Garyn, of North Down BC, boxes for an up-grade on Friday against Connor Williams of Wales.
After a titanic battle, Nicole Clyde bows out of Glasgow after two superb performances. The 54kg Antrim BC boxer took on Paris Olympian, and reigning Asian and World champion at the weight, India’s Preeti in her quarter final. The 5-0 decision went to Preeti – but Nicole has banked valuable rounds and experience.
Speaking to TNT Sport after her bout, Nicole said “I’m more than happy with the performance; I thought the refing was a wee bit dodgy with them (3) standing counts. It is what it is. That’s the best I can do.”
Of her Glasgow experience, Nicole says “Its been absolutely unreal. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’m here to continue supporting my team mates now. We’re going to win lots of medals!”
Day Six
A jam-packed second day of Quarter Finals in Glasgow for Team NI.
First up is Immaculata BC’s Caitlin Fryers, who boxes for a 51kg medal against Sakshi of India at around 12:15pm. Shakshi is a 2025 World Boxing Cup champion at 54kg.
Half an hour later, defending Commonwealth Games champion and double Olympian Michaela Walsh is in action. She takes on Scotland’s Lara Brown at 12:45pm.
Its a long wait to the evening session, where Holy Trinity’s 70kg Jansseen Hill opens her account at the tournament, against England’s Chantelle Reid, a Paris Olympian and World Championship bronze medalist. That’s at 7:30pm.
In the subsequent bout at 7:30pm, Oympian and Birmingham 2022 featherweight champion Jude Gallagher returns. He takes on Zambia’s Albert Ngulube for a place on the podium.
Jansseen’s club and weigh-mate, Jon McConnell, is back between the ropes after Monday’s thriller against Summit of India. On Wednesday, he vies for a medal against Bahamian, Carl Heild. That bout should begin at 8:15pm.
And the final Team NI boxer in QF action tomorrow is superheavy, Willie John McCartan. He takes on Ghana’s Daniel Plange at 9pm.
The Games
Boxing at the SEC Centre on the Scottish Event Campus will take place from Friday July 24th to Saturday, August 1st,: July 30th is a rest day.
Afternoon Sessions will, typically, begin at 11am and Evening Sessions at 6pm. The complete Games schedule is available here
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