Team Ireland end Day Two of the European U19 Championships in Loznica, Serbia, with three wins in the bag.
Jason Donoghue got his tournament underway with a bang. He was the 4-1 winner over Slovakia’s Sebastian Chocholacek in their 65kg Last 32 contest. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 29:28l 29:28l 27:30; 29:28. Jason is back in action on Sunday, taking on Hungary’s Istvan Czifra, boxing for a place in the Quarter Finals. Czifra is the 2025 European U17 63kg champion.
Speaking after his bout, Jason said “I boxed well. I was supposed to keep my range but I got in to a bit of a scappy fight because the guy was strong but I set down, dug in, dug deep and got the win. But this is the first fight of the tournament and the next one will be better. Thanks to everyone for watching and supporting!”
Jason’s brother John is also through to the Last 16. He was the unanimous decision winner over Azerbaijan’s Rza Rzayev in their 70kg Last 32 contest, scored 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30 27:30. John is back between the ropes on Sunday, taking on Rejjan Jakupovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a Quarter Final berth.
While Jason Whelan makes in 3-for-3. He took on Tomas Kupil of Slovakia in a Last 32 contest at 75kg, and came away with the 3-2 win on a scoreline of 30:27; 30:27; 28:29; 29:28; 28:29 . The Dublin Docklands boxer is back in action on Sunday, boxing for a quarter final place against Georgia’s Goga Bregvadze.
354 boxers from 36 nations will compete in Loznica, Serbia. The participating nations are: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.
The complete Men’s Draw is available HERE and the complete Women’s Draw is available HERE
Team Ireland is led and managed by Jennifer O’Sullivan-Coffey of Sliabh Luachra and Bernie Curran of St. John Bosco, Newry. The team is coached by Eoin Pluck, Val Hamilton of St. Francis BC, Ralph McKay of St. Paul’s BC Antrim, Sean Crowley of Erne BC. The R&J is Stephen Kelly.
Day Three
Three Team Ireland boxers begin their Championships on Saturday.
70kg Kaysie Joyce will take on Romania’s Andreea Timeea Tapu in a Last 16 contest – Bout 3 of Ring A’s Afternoon Session. . So too will 50kg Kristian Jubani. He has a bye to the Last 16, and makes his debut three contests later, in Bout 6 of the same ring and session against Laszlo Papai of Hungary.
Jason and John’s clubmate, Louise Joyce, contesting at 48kg, will open her campaign against Ukraine’s Anastasiia Tiurina in Bout 2 of Ring A’s Evening Session.
Watch
The Serbia Boxing Federation is live-streaming the championships on its YouTube channel, here. Links, per ring, are published on the day of boxing.
Competition Schedule
Boxing will take place, daily, from August 12th to 18th. August 19th is a rest day – all semi finals will be boxed on Thursday, August 20th. All finals will take place on Friday, August 21st.
Afternoon Sessions will begin at 1pm, Irish time, while Evening Sessions will start at 4:30pm with the exception of the second Finals session on August 21st, which will get underway at 7pm.
Team Ireland
48kg Louise Joyce, Olympic BC Mullingar
50kg Kristian Jubani, Crumlin BC, Dublin
51kg Kayleigh Byrne, Gorey BC, Wexford
54kg Carly O’ Herron, Rochfortbridge BC, Westmeath
55kg Lee Largey Snodden, Immaculata BC, Belfast
57kg Leah Moore, Cabra BC, Dublin
60kg Kalib Walshe, CBS Wexford
65kg Grace Bailey, Castlebar BC, Mayo
65kg Jason Donoghue, Olympic BC Mullingar
70kg John Donoghue, Olympic BC Mullingar
70kg Kaysie Joyce, Clonmel BC, Tipperary
75kg Jason Whelan, Dublin Docklands
85kg Sean Doohan, Dunfanaghy BC, Donegal
Support Staff
Team Managers: Jennifer O’Sullivan-Coffey of Sliabh Luachra and Bernie Curran of St. John Bosco, Newry.
Coaches: Eoin Pluck, Val Hamilton of St. Francis BC, Ralph McKay of St. Paul’s BC Antrim, Sean Crowley of Erne BC.
R&J Stephen Kelly