Northern Ireland’s 12-strong boxing team for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been confirmed with a mix of past winners and newcomers.
Gold medallists from the 2022 edition in Birmingham, Michaela Walsh and Jude Gallagher, provide experience and they are the only survivors of the five gold medals won four years ago.
Belfast’s Walsh improved on her silver medal finishes at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 top the podium and returns to defend her featherweight crown, while County Tyrone’s Gallagher steps up to lightweight this time following his featherweight success in Birmingham.
Both competed at the recent World Boxing Cup in Brazil, as did Belfast pair Jon McConnell and Louis Rooney who will make their Commonwealth Games’ bow.
Holy Trinity’s McConnell made his big breakthrough at the 2024 Irish Elites and will box in the same light-middleweight division that saw Aidan Walsh win gold in Birmingham four years ago, while Star ABC’s Rooney steps up to the bantamweight division which also brought gold four years ago for Dylan Eagleson.
Rooney’s older cousin, John Paul Hale, is back for his second Commonwealth Games and will hope to improve upon his first round exit at the hands of Uganda’s Joshua Tukamuhebwa four years ago.
Antrim’s Nicole Clyde is also back for a second Games – this time at 54kg – and will also be seeking to improve upon her previous showing when exiting at the quarter-final stage to India’s Nitu Ghanghas.
The rest of the team are all new to the Games with Immaculata’s Caitlin Fryers rewarded for her bronze medal finish at the recent Strandja Tournament with flyweight selection.
Holy Trinity’s Kaci Rock – daughter of former professional Jim – is selected at welterweight with the 23-year-old claiming Ulster Elite honours in December.
Rock’s club-mate Janssen Hill also claimed Ulster honours before Christmas and takes the women’s welterweight berth, while light-heavyweight Eoghan Quinn, heavyweight Garyn McAllister and super-heavyweight Willie John McCartan are all rewarded for their 2025 Ulster title wins to secure their places.
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