Northern Ireland has officially named its 12-strong boxing squad for this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, blending seasoned champions with exciting new talent ready to make their mark on the international stage.
Leading the charge are gold medalists from the Birmingham 2022 Games, Michaela Walsh and Jude Gallagher. Walsh, from Belfast, returns to defend her featherweight crown after upgrading her previous silver medals from Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018. Gallagher, hailing from County Tyrone, steps up to lightweight this time around following his featherweight triumph in Birmingham. Both athletes recently competed at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil, keeping their competitive edge sharp.
Joining them on the Brazil trip were Belfast fighters Jon McConnell and Louis Rooney, who are now set for their Commonwealth Games debuts. McConnell, representing Holy Trinity, broke through at the 2024 Irish Elites and will compete in the light-middleweight division—the same weight class where Aidan Walsh claimed gold for Northern Ireland in Birmingham. Rooney, from Star ABC, moves up to bantamweight, a division that also delivered gold four years ago thanks to Dylan Eagleson.
Experience returns in the form of John Paul Hale, Rooney's older cousin, who is back for his second Commonwealth Games. After a first-round exit against Uganda's Joshua Tukamuhebwa in Birmingham, Hale will be eager to go deeper this time. Similarly, Antrim's Nicole Clyde is back for another shot, now competing at 54kg, after exiting at the quarter-final stage to India's Nitu Ghanghas in 2022.
The squad also features a wave of newcomers ready to shine. Immaculata's Caitlin Fryers earned her flyweight selection after a bronze medal performance at the recent Strandja Tournament. Holy Trinity's Kaci Rock, daughter of former professional boxer Jim Rock, takes the welterweight spot after claiming Ulster Elite honors in December. Her clubmate, Janssen Hill, also secured Ulster titles before Christmas and will compete in the women's welterweight division.
Rounding out the team are light-heavyweight Eoghan Quinn, heavyweight Garyn McAllister, and super-heavyweight Willie John McCartan, all rewarded for their 2025 Ulster championship victories. With a mix of proven champions and hungry debutants, Northern Ireland's boxing team is poised to deliver powerful performances in Glasgow.