Robyn Kelly to lead Irish boxing team

In what is another outstanding achievement, Ballynacargy boxer Robyn Kelly has been selected as co-captain of the Irish team to compete in the European U23 Championships in Hungary.

Robyn will lead the national side along with James Whelan of the Dublin Docklands Boxing Club.

The 15-strong Irish team includes World and European Elite, Youth and Junior medallists.

The boxing begins on Sunday and Robyn Kelly will be one of the flag bearers for her country at the opening ceremony, a proud day for her, her family and the Ballynacargy Boxing Club.

Robyn’s preparation has gone extremely well and she recorded fine victories over English and Hungarian opponents in a recent tournament. Following that, it was into an intense six-week training camp for the European Championships.

Her coach at the Ballynacagry Boxing Club is her dad, Camillus, himself a former competitor and medal winner in the sport. He said everyone in the small club is thrilled with the news and looking forward to the event: “This is a great achievement for Ballynacargy Boxing Club. Robyn has been in tremendous form lately and will be looking to win her fifth European medal at only 20 years of age. Everyone at the club is just so proud of what she's achieving. The very best of luck to team Ireland from all of us at the Ballynacagry Boxing Club.”

The Irish team departed for Hungary this morning and the draw for competition takes place at approximately 8pm Irish time on Saturday.

Budapest will host the major sporting event, which runs from Friday, November 21, to Sunday, 30. The Hungarian capital has a rich tradition of staging major international boxing tournaments: in 1930 and 1934, as well as in 1985, it was the venue of the Men’s European Championships; in 1997, the AIBA World Championships were held at the Budapest Sports Hall; in 2000, the Junior World Championships took place at the Körcsarnok; and in 2017, the Youth World Championships were staged in the Duna Arena.