Katie Taylor hails 'incredible' Girls in Green

Mon, 08 Jul, 2013 - 15:24

Katie Taylor believes Ireland's record-breaking EU Women's Boxing Championships squad, who returned home last night to a rapturous welcome, have even brighter days ahead of them.

Taylor captured her fifth successive EU lightweight title and was crowned the Boxer of the Championship in Kezsthely, Hungary over the weekend.

In all, the Girls in Green came home from the 23-nation tournament with 15 medals - a record for Irish boxing - with Taylor, Kristina O'Hara, Grainne Gavin, Amy Broadhurst and Jacqui Lynch all winning gold medals.

The Bray woman, who has now won 15 major gold medals since 2005, said she was proud to be part of the young and talented Irish squad.

"I'm just proud to be part of this incredible team," said Taylor, who is the reigning Olympic, World, European, EU and Irish lightweight champion.

"Five gold, three silver and seven bronze medals! It's unbelievable to come away with so many medals from this tournament. The future of Irish women's boxing is bright with all these young girls coming through."

IABA President Tommy Murphy was thrilled with the level of performance produced across the board by the Irish boxers in Hungary.

"The squad performed magnificently, absolutely magnificently in Hungary. Fifteen medals, five gold, three silver and seven bronze, absolutely fantastic," he said.

"They travelled to Hungary and distinguished themselves. Tournaments like the EU Championships provide our young boxers with invaluable experience. It's the type of experience that will stand to then as they progress in their careers.

"It's also the type of experience that will prove invaluable going into the Olympic qualifiers down the line and the Olympic Games itself as I would be quietly confident that some of these girls will qualify for Rio 2016.

"Our young athletes distinguished themselves in Hungary this week and they represented their country with pride and we cannot speak highly enough of them and our management and coaching staff at the tournament.

"The clubs and coaches also deserve enormous credit for this wonderful success and all credit to them. I would also like to thank Quick Park of Dublin Airport for sponsoring the team for the EU Championships."

IRELAND - 2013 EU WOMEN'S BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Seniors -

60kg: Katie Taylor (Bray) (Gold)

69kg: Claire Grace (Callan) (Bronze)

81kg: Lianne Murphy (Carrickmacross) (Silver)

Youths -

48kg: Kristina O'Hara (Emerald) (Gold)

54kg: Christine Gargan (St Georges) (Bronze)

57kg: Niamh Ball (Trojan) (Silver)

69kg: Christine Desmond (Macroom) (Bronze)

75kg: Cathy Higgins (Ardnaree) (Bronze)

81kg: Maeve McCarron (Carrigart) (Bronze)