'Carrigeen Queen' from Tipperary strikes gold for Ireland at boxing tournament in Poland
Shauna O'Keeffe wins gold medal at Felix Stamm Multi Nations senior elite tournament
Clonmel boxer Shauna O'Keeffe has recorded her second significant success of the year by winning gold for Ireland at the prestigious Felix Stamm Multi Nations senior elite boxing tournament in Pułtusk, Poland this morning.
The "Carrigeen Queen", who won the Irish Senior Elite Championship earlier this year, beat England's Hannah Robinson in the final of the Light Welterweight division, 63kgs, at the Multi Nations tournament.
Robinson, a very experienced international fighter, won the first round 3-2. However, the Clonmel woman fought back strongly to take the second round 5-0.
In the deciding third round, Shauna produced a great display of grit, determination and will-to-win to lift the title by 3-2 in a keenly-contested encounter.
"What a year Shauna is having, after winning the national senior elite championship and then gold when boxing for Ireland today," a delighted Clonmel Boxing Club coach Martin Fennessy stated in a Facebook post.
"It was a very proud day for Shauna and Clonmel Boxing Club as she stood on the podium, with the tricolour raised and the national anthem playing," said Martin.
"Congrats champ, enjoy the win," he added.
177 boxers from 21 countries competed at the event in Poland, which started on Monday and concludes today.
Shauna qualified for the final by beating Julia Kaleta, with the Polish champion taking a standing count in the second round.
Her remarkably successful year crowns a glorious return to the ring following a long lay-off from the sport.