Kellie Harrington Leads Ireland's Elite Boxing Squad for European Championships
Kellie Harrington is back where she has always looked most at home – on the start list for a major championship, with medals on the line and pressure in the air.
The two-time Olympic champion has been named in a 14-strong Ireland squad for the European Elite Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 17–25 September, marking her first appearance at a top-tier international event since she defended her lightweight crown in Paris two years ago.
For a while, that Paris final looked like the last act. Harrington initially walked away after becoming a double Olympic champion, only to reverse that decision last year. She eased herself back in with an exhibition bout in Dublin in December, then underlined her domestic dominance by collecting a 12th national Elite title.
She has boxed internationally since the comeback, but skipped this year’s World Boxing Cup stops in Brazil and China. Sofia changes that. At 36, the Dubliner steps straight back into the furnace of a benchmark event, again at 60kg, again carrying the weight of expectation.
Heavy artillery across the weights
Harrington is far from the only headline name. Ireland travel with one of the deepest, most decorated squads they have ever sent to a European Championships.
- Jon McConnell, fresh from Commonwealth Games gold at 70kg, leads the men’s contingent at that weight.
- Alongside him is Glasgow silver medallist Michaela Walsh at 57kg, a constant presence at the sharp end of major tournaments.
- Jude Gallagher, who added a Commonwealth bronze to his résumé in July, now lines up at men’s 60kg.
At middleweight, Ireland bring the reigning world champion. Aoife O’Rourke, the 75kg world gold medallist, anchors the team in a division where she has become a standard-setter. Her sister Lisa O’Rourke, a 2022 world champion and 2025 silver medallist, goes at 80kg, giving Ireland a formidable sibling axis in the higher women’s weights.
- Olympians Daina Moorehouse (51kg), Jennifer Lehane (54kg), Dean Clancy (65kg) and heavyweight Jack Marley (90kg) add hard-earned big-stage experience.
- Shannon Sweeney, the 2024 European champion at 48kg, returns to continental duty with a target on her back rather than a point to prove.
- Cliona D’Arcy steps in at women’s 80+kg, Evelyn Igharo at 70kg and Gavin Rafferty at men’s 75kg round out a squad that blends proven medal winners with boxers ready to test themselves against Europe’s elite.
“There is huge experience and championship pedigree within this squad, with Olympians, World and European medallists and established Elite champions alongside boxers ready to make their mark on the European stage,” said interim Ireland high performance head coach Damian Kennedy. “That blend of experience, ambition and potential gives us a very strong team.
“The European Championships will be one of the biggest tests our athletes face this year, with an exceptionally high standard expected in Sofia.”
Sharpening the edge before Sofia
Ireland will not go in cold. Before flying to Bulgaria, the squad will host a multi-nations sparring camp, designed to mimic the variety and intensity they will meet at the Championships. World Boxing ranking points are on offer in Sofia, and with 33 eligible nations, every bout carries extra weight.
High performance director Jon Mackey highlighted the importance of that preparation, pointing to the arrival of Poland, Hungary and Finland for targeted sparring sessions. The idea is simple: expose Irish boxers to different international styles now, avoid surprises later.
“Together, these elements give the team a strong platform as they approach the European Elite Championships,” Mackey said.
Harrington’s presence changes the feel of the trip. She is no longer the breakout story or the chasing underdog; she is the double Olympic champion returning to the crucible. Around her, a squad stacked with world, European and Commonwealth medals heads to Sofia not just to compete, but to see how far Ireland’s current golden era of amateur boxing can stretch.
