Grace “Paceie” Conway of the Termonfeckin based Tredagh Boxing Academy was crowned All Ireland Senior Cadet Champion following a recent bout in the National Stadium against a top class and more experienced opponent from Setanta Boxing Club in Kildare.

Grace, a supremely fit athlete, kept the pressure up throughout all three rounds not taking her foot off the pedal and not giving her opponent an inch with her dominant footwork, range and timing of hard hitting combinations.

So much so the referee gave her opponent another standing count after an angled backhand cross landed to tremendous effect.

At the final bell all five judges agreed unanimously to crown Gracie "Paceie" Conway All Ireland Senior Cadet Champion 2023, her fourth All Ireland Title in two years which, including her European Silver medal last year, makes her Tredagh’s most decorated boxer. 

The Senior Cadet Championships is usually a deciding tournament to pick the Irish Team for the European and World Championships but, for reasons unknown, probably to do with internal politics in the sport, Ireland is not sending a team to this year's Junior European Championships which is a big knock to Grace and her Ireland teammates.

“This won't stop this girl as she now takes her place in the High Performance Training Squad once again, where it is envisaged she will get further international experience on the continent” said club coach Padraig Mc Cullough.

“There are hopes that Ireland will send a team to the World Youth Championships in November. No one deserves it more than this hard working, humble, young lady who trains quietly very hard 6 to 7 days a week in the club.”

Soon after Grace was back in the ring as one of three Tredagh boxers who were entered into the International Emerald Box Cup in Dublin which attracted boxers from all over Ireland and ten other countries. 

Grace received a walk over in her age and weight category but, to gain further experience, she moved up an age category to under 18 level and boxed her way through to the final which she also dominated and won by a unanimous decision of the judges to be Crowned Emerald Box Cup Champion 2023. 

Tredagh’s Callum Carragher boxed extremely well to book his place in the final of the Emerald Box Cup against the reigning Irish Champion from Olympic Boxing Club in Mullingar. He boxed extremely well, but sadly he was on the wrong side of the dreaded split decision. 

Breanna Johnston received a walk over in her weight division because there were not enough entries due to injuries and pull outs but it was agreed that she could step up a weight division to box the heavier Emerald Box Cup Champion whom was decided the day before.  

Breanna proceeded to give a masterclass display and out-boxed the bigger, stronger opponent from Cork in all three rounds to win by Unanimous Decision and be Crowned Emerald Box Cup Champion 2023. 

“Tredagh entered these Championships to get extra competitive fights for our older boxers and it did exactly as anticipated” said Padraig Mc Cullough.

“Thanks to everyone at the Emerald Box Cup for a very enjoyable weekend of boxing. Well Done to all three of our boxers, their dedication, commitment and hard training ethics was evident over these Championships. All three boxers are or have been All Ireland Champions on their journey so far.” 

Tredagh Boxing Academy is officially open for their new season and cater for Junior Groups from six years upwards and Senior Groups from competition ages to Senior level.

There are also Boxercise Classes open to the public twice a week for general fitness. For further details please call 087 9944799 or send us a message on Facebook.