John Donoghue has secured at least a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships after winning his quarter-final bout against Russia's Zakhar Bespalov, while the IABA has criticised the Department of Sport for a "lack of communication" around its former boycott of Russia and Belarus.
The 15-year-old from Mullingar had looked set to miss out on the chance to fight for an under-17 European medal in Yerevan due to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association's policy that boxers would withdraw if pitted against opponents from those two countries, relating to the invasion of Ukraine.
However, yesterday the IABA dramatically dropped the boycott - introduced due to Ireland signing a collective ministerial statement against athletes from Russia or Belarus competing under their national flags - and signalled that Donoghue could compete today.
The Olympic Boxing Club fighter certainly didn't let the attention get to him as he dominated Bespalov, the referee calling a halt to the 63kg contest in the first round.
Kerry's Mary McDonagh also secured at least bronze following a 5-0 quarter-final win over Akbota Essimekova of Kazakhstan in the 70kg category.
Christian Doyle (52kg), Alex Noonan Carmody (70kg), Grace Conway (52kg) and Patrick Kelly (57kg) all bowed out at the quarter-final stage.
🚨 Medal Alert🚨 #TeamIreland's 63Kg John Donoghue has won at least a 🥉 following a World Junior Championships quarter final win over Zakhar Bespalov of 🇷🇺, by way of Round 1 RSC. pic.twitter.com/KTaE85d4T3
— IABA (@IABABOXING) November 30, 2023
Meanwhile, the IABA today released a statement saying that it was "taken aback" by the comments made by Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne on Monday suggesting it was free to decide on the issue of the Ukraine War-related boycott, and "dismayed at the lack of communication from the Department of Sport on this matter".
The IABA said it had "prepared, selected, provisioned and briefed two teams within the framework of this guidance – the 2023 European Under-22 Championship Team and the 2023 World Junior Championship Team. IABA engaged with the Department of Sport on this matter during this period, and no amendment of existing guidance was conveyed."
Three boxers withdrew from the U22 Euros in Montenegro last month due to being drawn against Russian/Belarusian opponents, including bronze medallist Evelyn Igharo, who missed out the chance to contest her semi-final. Tegan Farrelly gave a first-round walkover in Armenia on Monday this week.
Byrne had responded to a question from TD Chris Andrews in an Oireachtas committee by emphasising the IABA's autonomy and stating that there would be no consequences for individuals or their clubs in breaking the boycott, but he added that he applauded the association for sticking to the principle and said "it's a very important point that they do".
The IABA noted that it "would not have expected individual athletes or their clubs to face consequences under the issued guidance, as such teams are fielded by the NGB [National Governing Body], not the club.
"Additionally, it is difficult to navigate how adherence to this principle can be "very important", but electing not to do so is without consequence.
"Following the Minister's comments, no correspondence has been received from the Department of Sport or Sport Ireland. This is notable, as the comments change the complexion of IABA competition, and have implications for boxers currently in competition, and for boxers who complied with this guidance at the European U22 Championships.
"IABA is dismayed at the lack of communication from the Department of Sport on this matter; in particular, that the Department elected not to issue clear, unequivocal guidance following the Minister’s comments to Deputy Andrews. IABA calls on the Minister to facilitate an urgent meeting."
