Mayo boxers help Ireland to comprehensive victory over India

An Ireland v India international boxing series has concluded, with Ireland coming away with 26 wins to India’s 10.

Three Mayo boxers were involved over the two legs on November 1 and November 8. Shannon Sweeney of St. Anne's BC in Westport, the 2024 European gold medalist, enjoyed comprehensive wins in both legs, while Natalia Fasciszewska of Castlebar BC won her bout in the first leg and Carlagh Peake of Ballyhaunis BC was a winner in the second leg.

Ireland were 12-4 winners in the first leg and 14-6 victors in the second.

These internationals are the eighth and ninth to take place this year following three youth internationals in March involving Wales, France and India, an elite international against Austria in May, and the recent Under 23 round robin in Belfast which included England, Hungary and an Ulster Select.

This series included composite elite and Under 23 Team Ireland squads, and formed part of the Team Ireland European Under 23 Championship preparations – which include a 10-week bloc of training at the High Performance Unit on the Sport Ireland Campus in addition to the three-day international round robin.

The 16-strong team for the Euros includes Mayo's Natalia Fasciszewska in addition to boxers from eight other counties (Antrim, Dublin, Down, Galway, Laois, Meath, Westmeath and Wicklow).

“This is a high potential team, a third of whom have achieved podium finishes at underage level on the European and world stages,” said high performance director Jon Mackey.

“Competition at Under 23 level is a vital step in bridging the gap between youth and elite levels, providing developing boxers with a platform to hone and test their skills,” he added.

The championships take place in Budapest, Hungary, from November 21 to 30.