Offaly's Gráinne back in action this weekend

Gráinne Walsh will be boxing this weekend for the first time since she memorably secured a bronze medal at the world championships in Liverpool last September.

The Tullamore woman (30) is seeking to retain her national title at the 65kg weight category and will be stepping into the ring on Saturday (January 10) in a semi-final against Ava Henry of the Dublin Docklands Boxing Club.

Their bout in Dublin's National Stadium is expected to get underway at around 5pm on Saturday. The victor will then face the winner of the other semi-final, between Cork's Linda Desmond and Dubliner Kaci Rock.

The final will be held on the evening of Saturday, January 17.

The 2026 National Elite Championships get underway on Friday with 75 boxers from 17 counties competing.

Among the competitors are double Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington, Paris Olympians Daina Moorehouse, Jenny Lehane, Michaela Walsh, Jude Gallagher, Dean Clancy and Jack Marley – alongside Olympian and 2025 World champ Aoife O’Rourke, Paris Olympian and 2025 World bronze medalist Gráinne Walsh, and 2025 World bronze medalist, Patsy Joyce.