Ava Henry, the 16-year old bidding to become the next Kellie Harrington

Ava Henry is hoping to turn professional in a few years.

“I was aiming on going to the Olympics in 2028 but they were talking about taking boxing out of the Olympics so if they do that I’ll turn pro then,” she tells Northside People.

Before that, however, Henry, 16, has a more pressing matter to contend with – the upcoming European Junior Boxing Championships in Montesilvano, Italy.

Henry, who is from Kilmore West, is a four-time All-Ireland champion and a European silver medallist.

“I won a silver medal at the European Championships back in 2019, I’m confident I can do even better this year,” she says.

Henry says she started boxing as a hobby to keep fit when she was nine, but things changed as her love for the sport grew.

“I grew up playing football and absolutely loved it,” she says. “I never wanted to stop it.

“But when I started boxing I just got more and more into it and stuck with it.”

Henry, who has trained in the Dublin Docklands Boxing Club for the past two years, currently competes in the 50kg division.

She qualified for the European Championships after winning the National Junior Cadet Championships earlier this year.

“I’m now training twice a day, in the morning and in the evening,” she says.

Henry has been a granted a two week break from her school to dedicate the majority of her time to training for the upcoming championships.

“The school sent me out a laptop so I’m not missing out on any work, but I have more time to train,” she says.

“My school have been really great and supportive.”

Henry is certainly not lacking confidence, saying she is hoping to bring home the gold medal later this month.

“I’m just keeping my head down and training really hard,” she says.

“I feel like I can win it if everything goes to plan.”

Henry is also thankful for the support she has received from her family and friends.

“My mam and dad and have just been really great and supportive. They’re always there to motivate me.

“My whole community really, they’ve been a really big help.”

After the championships, Henry says she wants to progress to the Under-18 championships and continue her development with the Irish team.

“The Under-18 World Championships are next year so I’m aiming for that,” she says.

“I’m going to take a short break after Italy and then get right back to it.”