Kellie Out – Kellie In – McLoughlin Replaces Injued Harrington in European Championship Squad
Kellie Harrington has been ruled out of the upcoming European Elite Championships due to a hand injury.
The double Olympic champion had been named in the Irish squad for the tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, but will now miss out after an injury to her right hand failed to heal in time.
The European Championships take place from September 17-25, with Harrington’s withdrawal confirmed this week.
The 36-year-old Dubliner had initially retired from boxing following her second Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 before making a return to competition last year.
The Portland Row favourite marked that return in style by claiming her 12th Irish National title, before adding further gold at the Four Nations tournament in Glasgow in June and sharing Olympic qualification plans earlier this year.
However, the latest setback means Harrington will have to wait before returning to major International championship action.
Irish Boxing has confirmed that Kellie McLoughlin, a fighter who has risen to domestic prominence in recent years, will replace the Irish boxing legend in the Irish team and compete in the 60kg division.
Ireland’s squad has been preparing for the championships since entering camp in July, with a strong contingent set to descend on Sofia.
Among those selected are Aoife O’Rourke, a double Olympian, reigning world champion and four-time European champion, while her sister Lisa O’Rourke, the 2022 world champion and 2025 world silver medallist, will also represent Ireland.
Six members of Ireland’s Paris Olympic team are also included.
Daina Moorehouse will compete at 51kg, Jenny Lehane at 54kg, Jude Gallagher at 60kg, Dean Clancy at 65kg, Michaela Walsh at 57kg and Jack Marley at 90kg.
Walsh heads into the tournament as a Commonwealth Games silver medallist at 57kg, while Marley will look to build on his experience on the major championship stage.
Commonwealth gold medal winner Jon McConnell will compete at 70kg, with Evelyn Igharo also entered in the division.
The squad is completed by Shannon Sweeney, the 2024 European champion, Cliona D’Arcy, a world youth champion and European U23 bronze medallist, and Gavin Rafferty at 75kg.
