Offaly boxer aiming for Olympics after winning European U22 medal
Offaly boxer Paul Loonam will return home this evening (Thursday) after winning a bronze medal at the European Under-22 Boxing Championships in Croatia.
The impressive achievement by Pullough man is a major milestone in his sporting journey and one that he hopes will act as a springboard towards the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
A past pupil of Pullough NS and Killina Secondary School, Paul represents St Carthage's Boxing Club.
At the European Championships, competing in the 60kg lightweight division, he won unanimous points victories over Hungarian and Italian opponents to secure the bronze medal.
In the semi-final bout, as Paul sought to secure a silver, he was narrowly defeated in a 3-2 split decision against Ukrainian opponent Maksym Vlasiuk.
Paul was one of seven Irish boxers - four female and three male - to take home medals from the championships which were held in Poreč, Croatia.
In a social media message posted by the St Carthage's club, the local boxer and his family thanked everyone for their support to date.
The post reflected on the challenges Paul had to overcome in recent years, such as a hand operation three years ago and then the enforced closure of his boxing club due to the pandemic.
After winning an All Ireland title in February he missed ten days of squad training but returned to the Irish team ahead of the European championships.
The Loonam family thanked all those who had helped Paul Jr reach this stage of his boxing journey, mentioning "the IABA Irish coaches Damien, Eoin, JP Lynn, Anita, David at webphysio.ie, Leinster Council, Mick Darby LDS, Offaly County Board."
They went on to thank "St Carthages BC, especially coaches Kevin, George, Gordon, Darren. All the clubs and coaches from around Ireland for their good wishes. Dima from Sparactus BC.
"I would like to thank Igor Kamill, a Ukrainian man who coaches in Smithfield BC, Dublin, whose family live in war-torn Ukraine. Our prayers are with you."
Gratitude was also expressed to "Big Mark Kennedy, GFT Strength and Conditioning, the teachers from Pullough NS and Killina Secondary School, and everyone that donated money to help fund Paul on this campaign.
"Our great communities of Pullough, Rahan and Offaly. Last, but not least, our family and Friends in Pullough, Mucklagh, Offaly, Dublin, England, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
"Our journey is only beginning and with all your help we will get there. Paris 2024," the post concluded.
Team Ireland is due to land at Dublin Airport this evening (Thursday) at around 7.30pm, and the boxers are expected to be in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall between 7.45pm and 8pm.