Winning start for Offaly boxer at World Championships

OFFALY boxer Grainne Walsh made a winning start in her bid for World Championship glory in Liverpool on Friday.

The Tullamore woman had a clearcut 5-0 win over Jessica Triebelova in the 65kg class with the judges scoring her: 30-27, 30-27, 30-29, 29-28 and 30-27.

Now competing with St Mary's Boxing Club in Tallaght, Olympian Walsh will box Spain's Mariana Soto Torres in the next round on Monday evening – the Spaniard had a 5-0 win over Ukraine's Nataliia Merinova on Friday.

Walsh told World Boxing after her win: “The first fight of any major tournament can be daunting – not that it’s any different, it’s a ring anywhere in the world but -just getting the feel of things and getting the ball rolling. I’m impressed and proud of my performance there. And, like our coaches always say, look after the performance, and the results will come. That’s what I’ve tried to practice in the camp, being present and just enjoying it – because there aren’t that many people who get to say they’re living their dream. I’m very privileged to be here.”

“We looked at footage of her before the bout, but my approach is to bring the best version of me. They’re also coming up with a plan to try and beat me, so if I’m the best version of Grainne Walsh, I believe I’m up there with the very best of them.”

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Daingeean man Brian Kennedy has also qualified for the championships and will box in the 85k class. A member of St Brigid's Boxing Club in Edenderry, Kennedy is a tough competitor who will be fully focused on making progress.