Picture: Grace Conway with her winning medal and certificate, alongside her dad Mick and coach Padraig McCullough.
Grace Conway of Tredagh Boxing Academy has added another major title to her record after winning the U23 All-Ireland Boxing Championships at the National Stadium.
The 19-year-old claimed her 11th All-Ireland title after coming through a highly competitive division featuring multiple Irish champions, European medallists and a World bronze medallist.
Grace, who has only recently moved out of the U19 ranks, has now also been selected to represent Ireland at the U23 European Championships in Poreč, Croatia, beginning on 14th November.
Her opponent in the final was last year’s U23 champion and an experienced international boxer.
Strong comeback in the final
Grace lost the opening round on all five judges’ cards after a competitive and tactical start.
She responded in the second round by increasing the pace and landing her trademark back hand to take the round on the majority of the judges’ cards.
With everything on the line in the third, Grace raised the tempo again and produced a more aggressive performance, landing a number of eye-catching combinations.
Her opponent also received a public warning during the round.
Grace was eventually declared the winner on a split decision, securing the U23 All-Ireland title.
The club paid tribute to her opponent from Mulhuddart following what it described as a tight and exciting contest.
11 All-Ireland titles
The latest victory brings Grace’s tally to 11 All-Ireland titles.
She has also won three European silver medals during her career to date.
Following her national success, Grace has been travelling regularly to the Sport Ireland High Performance Unit, where she has been training with the Irish U23 squad on average four days a week.
Winning the national title did not automatically guarantee selection for the European Championships, with the High Performance Unit operating its own selection process.
Grace has now received confirmation that she has been selected to represent Ireland at the U23 European Championships in Poreč, Croatia, which begin on 14th November.
At just 19, the championships will give her an opportunity to gain further experience at senior European level.
In recent weeks, she has also been taking part in test matches at the National Stadium against some of Ireland’s leading female boxers as preparations continue.
Thanks to local sponsors
Grace is currently studying physiotherapy in Carlow while continuing her training and competition schedule.
She and the club thanked the local sponsors who have supported her journey, including Martin Butterly of BSF Butterly Steel Fabrications in Drogheda, The Grove House Dunleer, Sean Dowling of Integral Fitness Drogheda and Sports Direct Drogheda.
Junior boxers also impress
The club would also like to say well done to their Junior boxers, who all competed fantastically in their recent All-Ireland Cadet Championships, with many very unlucky not to progress to the European Junior Championships.
Lorcan McGuinness won both his quarter-final and semi-final before being narrowly beaten in the final, finishing with an All-Ireland silver medal.
Lorcan McGuinness with his All-Ireland Silver Medal with Coach Padraig Mc Cullough
