Monivea’s Adam Hession has been named on the Irish team for one of the most prestigious Amateur tournaments in World Boxing, the 77th Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria.
The championships will begin on Monday next and will feature elite boxers from across the globe.
This year’s iteration comes just 6 weeks before the 1st of three World Boxing Cups, beginning on April 20th.
Hession is the only boxer from Connacht named on the 20-strong Irish team selected for the tournament.
Team Ireland is comprised of 2025 World bronze medalists Patsy Joyce (55kg), Olympian Grainne Walsh (65kg), double Olympian Michaela Walsh (57kg) and Paris Olympians Daina Moorehouse (50kg), Jennifer Lehane (54kg), Jude Gallagher (60kg), Dean Clancy (65kg) and Jack Marley (90kg). Also named European medalists Louis Rooney (50kg), Caitlin Fryers (51kg), Niamh Fay (57kg) and Evelyn Igharo (70kg).
The team includes boxers from clubs in 9 counties: Antrim (4), Dublin (8), Galway (1), Leitrim (1), Louth (1), Tyrone (1), Waterford (1), Westmeath (2) and Wicklow (1)
Interim High performance Head Coach, Damian Kennedy, will lead the team in Bulgaria. He says “Strandja is one of the most demanding competitions our boxers will face outside of major championships, as it consistently attracts the top boxing nations from around the world. This team has trained exceptionally well, showing readiness, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure in last week’s test match series with France. We want them to use this tournament to measure themselves against the very best in the world”
High Performance Director Jon Mackey says “Our team are looking exceptionally sharp and that’s a credit to Damian Kennedy and the coaching team. This tournament is part of the second stage of our selection process which began with the 2026 Elite Championships just last month. Team Ireland includes both Elite champions and silver medalists in a team that blends proven championship experience with emerging talent.”
Team Ireland
50kg | Louis Rooney, Star BC, Belfast
51kg | Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Wicklow
51kg | Caitlin Fryers, Immaculata BC, Belfast
54kg | Jennifer Lehane, DCU BC, Dublin
55kg | Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC, Mullingar
57kg | Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG, Belfast
57kg | Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin
60kg | Jude Gallagher, Two Castles OBA, Tyrone
60kg | Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway
60kg | Kellie McLoughlin, St. Catherine’s BC, Dublin
65kg | Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim
65kg | Jason Nevin, Olympic BC, Mullingar
65kg | Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght
70kg | Jon McConnell, Holy Trinity BC, Belfast
70kg | Terry McEntee, DCU BC, Dublin
70kg | Evelyn Igharo, Clann Naofa BC, Louth
80kg | Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown BC, Dublin
80kg | Kelyn Cassidy, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford
85kg | Nathan Ojo, Esker BC, Dublin
90kg | Jack Marley, Monkstown BC, Dublin
Support Staff:
Team Lead & Head Coach | Damian Kennedy
Coach | James Doyle
Coach | Jay Delaney
Coach | Ross Hickey, Grangecon BC, Wicklow
Coach | Paul Simpson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford
Coach | Brendan Irvine, UUJ/ St. Paul’s Belfast
Physio | Rob Tuomey
R&J | Stephen Kelly
