Offaly star prepares for National Finals as Boxing Ireland rebrands
In the build-up to this weekend's National Elite Boxing Championships in Dublin – at which Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon will be proudly represented – the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) has announced a rebrand to become Boxing Ireland.
Going into action in Saturday's finals, to be held at the National Stadium and streamed live on TG4's YouTube page, will be Mullingar's Patsy Joyce, Offaly's Gráinne Walsh and Roscommon's Aoife O'Rourke. Luke Hall, of Rochfortbridge Boxing Club, and Offaly's Brian Kennedy are also set for semi-finals action on Friday.
Tullamore's Walsh, a World bronze medalist, and who represents St Mary's BC, Tallaght, will face Linda Desmond (Cork) in their decider on Saturday, while Joyce, also a recent World bronze medalist, will tackle Belfast's Clayton dos Santos. World champion Aoife O'Rourke, from Castlerea, is set to face Wexford's Shauna Kearney in their final. TG4's coverage of Saturday's finals commences at 6pm.
Speaking about the rebrand, Offaly boxer Grainne Walsh, a key member of the re-brand steering committee, said: “Boxing Ireland is a new chapter for our sport. It’s about a positive, visible identity which respects our incredible heritage and looks forward to the future. We’re a unique community and becoming Boxing Ireland honours that. It’s a really exciting time.”
In a media release, the rebranded Boxing Ireland said that the decision to change its name 'represents far more than a new name or logo'.
'It is about celebrating who we are, recognising our 115 -year shared history, and clearly expressing where we are going as a sport and community. Boxing Ireland reflects the reality that boxing and boxers are built different. We strive, we achieve, we build discipline, change lives, and uplift communities in a way no other sport does. This purpose led identity provides a modern, unified and internationally recognisable brand that positions Irish boxing for stronger commercial partnerships, increased sponsorship investment, and greater media and digital engagement at home and abroad. Most importantly, it demonstrates our pride in who we are, and what we do,' the statement said.
A video introducing Boxing Ireland and the meaning behind the rebrand will be shared across all digital platforms. Featuring double Olympic champion, Kellie Harrington, international boxer James Whelan and underage European champions Kristian Jubani and Roisin Hegarty, the piece has been voiced by multi-award winning actor and Hollywood star, Liam Neeson, a boxing champion in his youth with All Saints ABC, Ballymena.
Boxing Ireland CEO Gary Stewart said: “Boxing Ireland is a brand built to honour the past, empower the present and really put our purpose as a community front and centre. It gives us a clearer, stronger and more recognisable identity, both at home and internationally, which is essential for increasing awareness of Irish boxing and the incredible talent within our community. The new identity says unequivocally that we are Boxing Ireland, and proud of it.”
The organisation's President Anto Donnelly added: “Now is the time for Boxing Ireland. I am immensely proud to welcome our new identity. This rebrand is about strengthening our foundations and putting our clubs and communities at the very heart of everything we do. Our grassroots clubs are the lifeblood of Irish boxing. They are where young people find opportunity, discipline, confidence and belonging. Boxing Ireland gives us a stronger, clearer and more modern platform to support those clubs, attract new members, volunteers and partners, and ensure that investment reaches the places where it makes the greatest difference.”