EUROPEAN U23 CHAMPIONSHIP – Squad Named
The Team Ireland team to contest the 2026 European U23 Championships in Porec, Croatia, has been named.
This benchmark tournament is an important one for boxers transitioning from Youth to Elite, and up to 40 European Boxing federations are eligible to enter.
The 18-strong Team Ireland includes 2025 European U23 Championship silver medalist, Natalia Fasciszewska, and bronze medalists Tiffany Spencer & World Youth champ, Cliona D’Arcy. Also flying to Porec is three time European underage medalist, Katie O’Keefe, European Junior silver medalist, Niamh Keogh, European youth bronze medalist Roy Colgan, Youth World Champ, Siofra Lawless, European underage medalist Tadhg O’Donnell & Josh Olaniyan.
Preparations for this team include almost 12 weeks of High Performance training and the on-going October Series of U23 test matches, taking place in the National Stadium Gym throughout this month.
The team is managed by Anna Moore of St. Francis BC, and High Performance Coach, James Doyle, is Head Coach for this tournament – he is supported by coaches JP Delaney, Liam Cunningham and Valerie Hamilton (St. Francis BC). On-site athlete support, throughout the tournament, will be provided by Boxing Ireland Athlete Welfare Officer, Aidan Walsh.
U23 Championship Head Coach James Doyle says ” We have a talented group heading to Poreč, with a mix of championship experience and boxers ready to take the next step on the international stage. The work put in over recent months has been excellent, and the October Series has given us a valuable opportunity to assess the squad in competitive conditions. Now it’s about bringing that preparation into the ring, adapting to different opponents and delivering performances that reflect the standards we’ve set as a team. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
High Performance Director Jon Mackey says ‘The U23 age group is a critical stage in a boxer’s development, bridging the gap between Youth competition and the demands of senior Elite boxing. Providing athletes with meaningful international opportunities at this level is central to our long-term performance strategy. With European and World medallists among the selected squad, this championship offers an important measure of where our athletes are on that journey and the progress being made within our High Performance programme. We wish James, the coaching team and all 18 athletes every success in Poreč as they represent Team Ireland.’
Competition Arrangements
The draw, which sets the path to the podium for all boxers, takes place on Sunday, November 15th not before 5:30pm, Irish time.
Boxing takes place November 16th to 24th; Saturday November 21st is a rest day. All finals will be boxed on November 22nd, with a two day Mixed Team Test Evening being boxed on November 23rd and 24th.
Afternoon Sessions will begin at 12:30pm, and Evening Sessions will get underway at 5pm
Team Ireland
48kg Tiffany Spencer, Jobstown BC, Dublin
51kg Katie O’Keefe, Kanturk BC, Cork
54kg Niamh Keogh, Olympic BC, Mullingar
55kg Antonio Bozkaya, East Meath BC, Meath
57kg Natalia Fasciszewska, Castlebar BC, Mayo
60kg Grace Conway, Tredagh BC, Louth
60kg Gavin Ryan, Ratoath BC, Meath
65kg Kai Griffin, Avona BC, Dublin
65kg Gabrielle Mongan, Jobstown BC
70kg Roy Colgan, Avona BC, Dublin
70kg Siofra Lawless, Four Kings BC Wicklow
75kg Tadhg O Donnell, Jobstown BC, Dublin
75kg Jessica Talbot, Cabra BC, Dublin
80kg Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown BC, Dublin
80+kg Cliona D’Arcy, Tobair Pheadair BC, Galway
85kg Padraig Corduff, St Anne’s BC, Mayo
90kg Shay O’Dowd, Holy Family BC, Drogheda
90+kg Tom Stokes, Athlone BC, Westmeath
