Jude Gallagher

As Jude Gallagher prepares to realise his Olympic dream, Neil Loughran spends a day with the ‘Tyrone Tornado’ as Newtownstewart bids its favourite son farewell...

KELLIE Harrington’s hopes of defending her Olympic crown got off to a steady start at the European Games on Friday afternoon – but there was disappointment for Tyrone’s Jude Gallagher, who was edged out by a classy Cuban boxing for Bulgaria

THERE was a further window into the conflict at the very top of amateur boxing as Ireland landed six gold medals and one silver at the Ústí nad Labem Grand Prix tournament in the Czech Republic over the weekend

IRELAND’S top boxers have “total tunnel vision” towards next month’s crucial Olympic qualifier, despite uncertainty sparked by political machinations at the top of the sport.

THERE will be many Irish boxers watching on with interest when June’s European Games take place in Poland – with rising star Dylan Eagleson among them.

LEAD JUDE Gallagher will put months of frustration to bed when he steps between the ropes at the Strandja tournament in Sofia today, with the Tyrone man determined to keep himself in the Olympic qualification frame.

A FIRST Irish elite title in a whirlwind 12 months is nothing to be sniffed at – but Dylan Eagleson still has major plans to force himself into the Olympic reckoning ahead of Paris 2024.

FIGHT fans are licking their lips ahead of today’s Irish Elite Championship draw as some of the biggest names in Irish boxing prepare to showcase their skills at the National Stadium in the coming weeks.

BROAD AMBITION TEN years after Katie Taylor’s London Olympic gold started a ripple effect through Irish boxing, a tidal wave hit the shores as Ireland’s elite women soared towards the top of the international tree – spearheaded by the brilliant Amy Broadhurst.

THE prestigious Tammer tournament has hosted stellar names like Oscar de la Hoya and Joe Joyce through the years – and a four-strong Ulster team hope to write their names into the tournament’s history this weekend.