Baldoyle boxers shine in Sweden 

A NORTHSIDE boxing club is flying high after a very successful trip to one of the world’s biggest all female boxing competitions.

Baldoyle BC enjoyed major success at the 10th annual Golden Girl competition held in Boras, Sweden.  

This year was the biggest ever competition with over 300 female boxers from countries all over the world, including Thailand, Canada, Taipei along with countries all over Europe, taking part.  

European, World and Olympic champions entered with the aim of being crowned Golden Girl.  

It was Baldoyle Boxing Club’s third time attending the competition and this year it opted for a smaller team than previous years, comprising four girls and their two coaches.  

The Baldoyle contingent were delighted to bring home three gold medals and one silver along with being ranked fifth in the honours table of 35 teams. Indeed they finished ahead of many international and much larger teams. 

Megan Coleman was the first Baldoyle girl to box. Megan boxed very well in her first bout and won by a unanimous decision, settling the nerves and getting Baldoyle off to winning ways. Megan had two further contests and won both by stoppages to bring home the first gold for her team.

Emma Flannery was next into the ring and she again boxed brilliantly, also winning her bout by unanimous decision. 

Emma moved straight to a final where she came up against a very experienced and highly decorated Russian boxer. 

The Russian, with three European gold medals and two world championship gold medals, proved to be too experienced for Emma who was delighted to put on a great display and win the silver medal.

Ellie Preston weighed in but as there was no one in her weight she chose to move up a full weight category to take a fight in a straight final. After moving up a weight class Ellie won the gold with a very impressive first round stoppage.

Robyn Preston travelled with the team but unfortunately as there was no one in her weight category she did not get a contest. 

Robyn was willing to take a bout at a higher category against more experienced boxers but there wasn’t anyone available so she got a gold without a contest.

Baldoyle Boxing Club’s head coach Christy Dunne said he was very happy with how the team performed over the weekend.

“There was a lot of preparation put into this competition with the girls training very hard all over the Christmas and up to six times a week,” he said. 

“All the extra training and hours in the club really showed in the ring over the weekend and with the results achieved.” 

Abbey Gibbons of Cherry Orchard Boxing Club also travelled with the team, making her coaches and club extremely proud with a great performance against a French girl who went on to win the category. 

Liam Murphy, from Cherry Orchard BC, said he was very happy with how she performed and many people in the crowd thought the split decision could have easily went Abbey’s way.

Baldoyle Boxing Club secretary Ronan Kelly said it was a great weekend’s boxing by all the girls and the club was very proud of how they all performed.