Team Ireland set for World Boxing Cup in Brazil

"I hadn't been on an international podium for two years, but Aidan's always had the belief in me which has brought that joy in boxing out of me again.

"In the Irish Elites, I felt like I was performing at a world-class level and then brought that into Strandja, so to come away with a silver medal was amazing and now I just want to keep performing at the level and if I do, I can be on the podium a lot more."

Building experience crucial for Gallagher

Jude Gallagher burst on to the scene with featherweight gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games which was a prelude to Olympic qualification.

Still just 24 years old, the County Tyrone native has amassed plenty of top-level experience but knows there is more to go.

Like Walsh, the Newtownstewart man has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and while claiming a medal this week would be a bonus, there is also the bigger picture of next year's World Championships in Kazakhstan.

"Every tournament you want to go and win, but even looking back at my last couple of years as a senior boxer, you realise how much better you are now compared to when you started when you thought you'd clean up everywhere," said Gallagher, who will box at lightweight.

"Experience is massive. The more time in the ring and more competitions you go to, you learn so much.

"The main goal for all of us is Los Angeles, but in these tournaments this year, while you want to get to the top of the podium, it's about gathering experience and getting ready to go strong next year."

Belfast's new wave seek to make their mark

Belfast pair Jon McConnell and Louis Rooney represent some of the fresh faces who are seeking to establish themselves in Brazil.

McConnell claimed the Irish Elite title in January and after an opening win at the Strandja Tournament, fell to Kazakhstan's Mukhamedsabyr Bazarbayuly but in defeat "learnt more from that fight than anything over the past two years".

The 23-year-old is the latest off the Holy Trinity production line and having suffered his share of disappointments in the past, feels he is ready to make his mark on the international stage.

"I had a lot of bad luck but made the jump up to qualify for the last Olympics when I wasn't a 70 kilo boxer at all, but still mixing it with the best in the country," he said.

"We're all bouncing out of our skin coming up to Brazil and I'm expecting to win - that's the mindset."

Rooney, although three years younger, is on a similar trajectory with the flyweight from Star ABC in north Belfast already enjoying success on the international stage with gold at the 2024 European U-23 Championships and is hungry for more.

"I'd a bit of a downer at Strandja compared to last year when I came back with a [bronze] medal, but I want to push on in Brazil," he said.

"I feel like when I perform and I'm making the weight right, I'm world class and can beat anyone."

Team Ireland squad

50kg: Louis Rooney, Star BC, Belfast

51kg: Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry Boxing Club, Wicklow

54kg: Jenny Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin

55kg: Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC, Mullingar

57kg: Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG Boxing Club, Belfast

60kg: Jude Gallagher, Two Castles OBA, Tyrone

65kg: Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott Boxing Club, Leitrim

70kg: Evelyn Igharo, Clann Naofa Boxing Club, Louth

70kg: Jon McConnell, Holy Trinity Boxing Club, Belfast

80kg: Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown Boxing Club, Dublin

90kg: Jack Marley, Monkstown Boxing Club, Dublin

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