World Silver medal for Mullingar boxer John Donoghue

Mullingar boxer John Donoghue has defeated the two-time European champion 3-0 in the World Junior Boxing Championship semi-final today in Armenia to secure a silver medal.

He now boxes in the world final against Khikmatillo Ulmasov from Uzbekistan. It is a fantastic achievement for the Olympic Boxing Club star.

John had already secured a bronze medal when he overcame Russian opponent Zakhar Bespalov in the light-welterweight quarter-final.

There has been huge reaction locally to John Donoghue’s wonderful run, which comes after the IABA (Irish Amateur Boxing Association) ended its boycott of Russian boxers, allowing him to take his place in the quarter-final. There were frantic negotiations on Wednesday, leading to government intervention on the issue and clearing the way for Donoghue to box.

Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said there would be no consequences for boxers who faced Russian fighters.

Following his victory, Johnny Joyce of the Olympic Boxing Club gave this reaction:

“We would like to thank everyone who helped ensure John Donoghue could box in the quarter-finals against his Russia opponent. Until Wednesday, an IABA decision to boycott Russian opponents was stopping him from doing so.

“Firstly, we would like to thank head coach Johnny Joyce, club secretary Kenny Kiernan, who never gave up on the kid and kept pushing for him to box by doing everything they could. We would like to thank the local public representatives, especially Deputy Sorcha Clarke, Sinn Fein and Minister Peter Burke, Fine Gael, for all the work they did behind the scenes, and RTE Radio 1 for their coverage.

“Huge thanks to Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews for bringing the hard questions to the government and getting the answers for us that changed this ridiculous rule stopping our kids from boxing. Huge thanks to everyone who supported our club and boxer over the last few days. John now turns his focus to the semi-finals against Greece.”

Mr Joyce said a number of young boxers from the club have missed out on opportunities to compete for medals at the recent championships because of the boycott, introduced because of the war in Ukraine.

"We are not concerned with politics. This is our sport and we just want to get on with the business inside the ring," he added.