THE pending outcome of appeals at several weight classes has resulted in the announcement of the boxing team bound for the Commonwealth Games being delayed.
Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland had invited media outlets to Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel this morning, where the boxers representing Team NI in Birmingham this summer (July 28-August 7) were expected to be unveiled.
It is understood that, following a week of behind closed doors assessments at the Ulster High Performance Unit’s Jordanstown base at the end of March, a 13-strong team was ratified for selection by the Ulster Boxing Council.
However, today’s media session had to be put on the long finger after appeals were submitted to the Ulster Council around selection at the women’s 50kg weight class, male 63.5kg, male 80kg and male 92kg+ divisions.
Upon consideration by an appeals panel appointed by the Ulster Council, boxers will be informed of the outcome in the coming days - but those issues were not resolved in time for today’s scheduled announcement.
“The Ulster Boxing Council is unable to comment on the selection at present because appeals are due to draw to a conclusion, having been handed over to an independent panel upon receipt,” said Ulster Council secretary Charlie Toland.
“We encouraged and welcomed the appeals submitted because it ensures the whole process remains open, transparent and accountable so that it is fair and equitable to every boxer.
“Boxers and their coaches have also been invited to review the video assessments with Ulster High Performance coaching staff if they so wish.”
The Irish News understands that 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Carly McNaul and Caitlin Fryers were in the mix for selection at 50kg, with 2021 Ulster elite champion Jack McGivern, 2020 Ulster elite champion Daryl Clarke and current Irish lightweight champion JP Hale all assessed for the 63.5kg spot. Hale did not enter December’s Ulster Elite Championships due to an injury.
Newry’s Irish U22 86kg champion Kane Tucker was under consideration at 80kg, while Monkstown’s 2021 Ulster elite champion Charlie Boyle and Emerald’s Dee Sullivan – who competed at the 2018 Commonwealths in Australia – were in the shake-up at 92+kg.
Of those whose selections are uncontested, it is understood Holy Trinity’s Clepson dos Santos (51kg), Dylan Eagleson of St Paul’s (54kg), Jude Gallagher of Two Castles (57kg), Mullaghbawn man Eugene McKeever (67kg), Olympic bronze medallist Aidan Walsh (71kg) and Emerald’s Jake Tucker (75kg) were nominated in the male weight classes.
The females who appear bound for Birmingham are two-time Commonwealth silver medallist Michaela Walsh (57kg), European gold medallist and 2021 Ulster elite champion Amy Broadhurst (60kg) and Immaculata’s Eireann Nugent (75kg), who took last year’s Ulster elite crown on a walkover.
It is understood that two-time Olympian Brendan Irvine – a Commonwealth Games silver medallist four years ago – did not take part in the assessments. Upon his return from last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, Irvine took up a new role as a community coach with the Irish Athletic Boxing Association.
Should any of the appeals being considered prove successful, the make-up of the team bound for Birmingham could be subject to change.
Several of those in the frame for Commonwealth Games selection are part of an Ulster and Irish team travelling to Italy tomorrow for a week-long training camp.
According to the Ulster Council’s policy on nomination criteria for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the recommendation of boxers for nomination “is a discretionary matter involving the exercise of judgment”.
“Accordingly,” it reads, “the process involves identifying the best individuals in any given event, however, may also require a comparative assessment of boxers across different weight categories.
“Judgments of this kind are by their nature matters of expert opinion, often considering a range of differing factors to reach a subjective outcome. The nomination committee will always aim to make decisions fairly, reasonably and without bias and in accordance with the terms of this policy.”
Since boxers were first informed of their selection or non-selection two weeks ago, some coaches contacted The Irish News to question why public box-offs were not held, voicing frustration that assessments took place behind closed doors at Jordanstown, with club coaches unable to attend.
In the Ulster Boxing Council policy, it states: “Winning the Ulster elites in December 2021 does not guarantee nomination for selection for the Commonwealth Games 2022. The boxer’s performance in this competition forms part of the assessment process, but it is not wholly based on this competition alone.
“Progressing to a box-off is not the usual course of the process of nomination for selection and therefore is not an obligatory step. Box-offs will only be requested where the nomination panel are struggling to separate one or more boxers within the process as the clear winner within the designated weight category.
“If any box-offs are required boxers will be notified with sufficient notice, boxers must be willing to box-off. The Ulster Boxing Council will announce the confirmed date and venue for any possible box-offs and communicate directly to any boxers involved, therefore all boxers will have had the same time period to prepare for any potential box-offs.”
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ST PAUL'S TO HOST OPEN AIR SHOW FOR OLIVE TREE PROJECT
ST Paul’s Boxing Club in Belfast will hold a fundraising open air show against a Dublin select on May 7 in aid of the Shamrock to Olive Tree project.
This project involves boxing clubs from across Ireland, with the aim to help develop the sport at grassroots level in Palestine.
“The humanity the Irish people have is renowned worldwide, the project will give hope to young Palestinians to get involved in boxing,” said St Paul’s coach Ralph McKay.
“We plan to send much-needed boxing equipment to clubs in Ramallah, and to try and understand their set-up from clubs to international stage. Part of our travelling team will be three star officials, who plan to chat about their role within boxing back home.
“We plan to visit boxing clubs and set up training sessions locally, as well as a historic visit to different parts of the Holyland, with a cultural return trip to Ireland next year.
“It is hoped an Irish team of 10 Irish boxers will also compete against a Palestinian select. Boxing in Ireland has helped to unite communities, clubs and cultures - we see similarities in the Palestinian people and hope that boxing can do the same for them.
“If you would like to play a small role in helping young Palestinian children into the sport of boxing, your support would be greatly appreciated.”
The open air show on May 7 will feature 25 bouts among some top class talent, with a barbeque and raffle prizes to be won. Donations can be made on the night, while artwork from David Bell will also be on display and is available for purchase.
