Commonwealth Video games gold medallist Jon McConnell took notice of how Kate O'Connor constructed on her glory in Glasgow to overcome Europe and has aspirations to do likewise.
Heptathlete O'Connor received Commonwealth gold in July and adopted up with European success in Birmingham simply weeks later. Belfast's McConnell – who took the 70kg title in Glasgow – now units his sights on the European Elite Championships which start on Thursday in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The 23-year-old made the massive breakthrough in Glasgow, claiming Workforce NI's solely boxing gold, however is just not content material to take pleasure in his summer season glory with the chance to construct upon that momentum and emulate O'Connor's double.
"She is a giant inspiration, successful the Commonwealths, had every week off and was again over in Birmingham to win [European] gold – hopefully I can replicate that," McConnell instructed BBC Sport NI within the build-up to his journey to Bulgaria.
"I'm on the proper street. The Commonwealths was a objective for me since I used to be a child. It's given me a style for extra and the one solution to get that buzz is to exit and win main championships."
McConnell is a part of a 14-strong Workforce Eire squad getting ready for motion in Sofia that now consists of Kellie McLoughlin at ladies's light-weight as two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington withdrew because of a hand harm.
Whereas medals stay a coveted forex in any match, there may be additionally a possibility to check themselves towards their rivals earlier than qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Video games in Los Angeles begins subsequent 12 months with the World Championships and European Video games.
"It's going to be the identical individuals you might be boxing," McConnell famous.
"I take one struggle and spherical at a time, however there is no such thing as a purpose why I can't be high of the rostrum as LA is my major objective.
"I'm nationwide elite champion two years in a row, so if I could make that three in January, I ought to go to the qualifiers subsequent 12 months, however these European Championships I wish to put a marker down."
Coach Kennedy proud of progress
Eire returned from the earlier European Championships in 2024, held in Serbia, with two gold and two bronze medals – all received by females together with present staff members Shannon Sweeney [50kg gold, now at 48kg] and Aoife O'Rourke [75kg gold].
In Yerevan two years prior, Gabriel Dossen claimed gold and Dylan Eagleson took silver, however it has been 9 years since Eire's males took a medal on the World Championships with Joe Ward's silver and an additional two from Michael Conlan turning into the one male to win a world gold.
Present interim head coach Damian Kennedy is assured there will be some new male stars emerge over the approaching years and has famous their "development because the begin of January".
"Dean Clancy goes three fights deep into competitions regularly, Jude Gallagher goes deep regularly, Jack Marley is boxing the very best I've ever seen him," Kennedy mentioned.
"Typically success is measured in medals however that's not at all times the case as I've seen the development right here.
"There are a selection of athletes about to tip over the sting and when the floodgates open for the males, it will likely be wonderful to observe."
'I'm not a child anymore' – Gallagher
Gallagher – a 2024 Olympian – was unable to make it back-to-back Commonwealth golds in Glasgow when eradicated on the semi-final stage by Nambia's Tryagain Ndevelo, leaving him with bronze so as to add to the featherweight title he received 4 years prior.
The Newtownstewart man stays one thing of a longtime determine on the worldwide scene, however the 24-year-old desires to "begin making my mark at worldwide stage now as I'm not a child anymore" when looking forward to the European Championships.
"These European Championships are crucial coming into the cycle subsequent 12 months to qualify for LA," he agreed.
"You'll get to have a look at potential opponents you’ll face in qualifiers subsequent season but additionally a superb alternative to put down a marker and see the place you might be at and what it’s a must to work on.
"It might be a large confidence-boost [to medal] to know you're sitting among the many finest in Europe."
Michaela Walsh additionally fell in need of retaining her 57kg Commonwealth title in Glasgow, overwhelmed within the ultimate by world champion Jaismine Lamboria, however it has been a productive 12 months thus far with a silver additionally secured on the Strandja Match.
The 33-year-old two-time Olympian has constantly confirmed herself European scene with three bronze and one silver medal already collected and whereas she continues to insist "a medal won’t ever outline me", that’s not to be mistaken for a scarcity of ambition earlier than this match and the countdown to the 2028 Olympics.
"This 12 months I bought to finals and have boxed high opposition together with the Commonwealth Video games towards present world champion at my weight," the Belfast girl mentioned.
"I’ve bought expertise there, so going to the Europeans, I do wish to be on high of the rostrum however particularly within the lead-up to LA, I wish to be in with the highest ladies to have a seems to be at the place I must develop or work on.
"I've good momentum going into these Europeans with nice team-mates round me. Seeing others do properly drives you on."
Workforce Eire
Shannon Sweeney (St Anne's BC, Mayo) Girls's 48kg
Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry BC, Wicklow) Girls's 51kg
Jennifer Lehane (DCU BC, Dublin) Girls's 54kg
Michaela Walsh (Holy Household BC, Belfast) Girls's 57kg
Kellie McLoughlin (St Catherine's BC, Dublin) Girls's 60kg
Jude Gallagher (Two Castles Olympic, Tyrone) Males's 60kg
Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim) Males's 65kg
Evelyn Igharo (Clann Naofa BC, Louth) Girls's 70kg
Jon McConnell (Holy Trinity BC, Belfast) Males's 70kg
Aoife O'Rourke (Castlerea BC, Roscommon) Girls's 75kg
Gavin Rafferty (Dublin Docklands BC) Males's 75kg
Lisa O'Rourke (Castlerea BC, Roscommon) Girls's 80kg
Cliona D'Arcy (Tobair Pheadair BC, Galway) Girls's 80+kg
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