McConnell keen to emulate O'Connor's Euro heroics
· Yahoo Sports
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jon McConnell took note of how Kate O'Connor built on her glory in Glasgow to conquer Europe and has aspirations to do likewise.
Heptathlete O'Connor won Commonwealth gold in July and followed up with European success in Birmingham just weeks later. Belfast's McConnell - who took the 70kg title in Glasgow - now sets his sights on the European Elite Championships which begin on Thursday in Sofia, Bulgaria.
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The 23-year-old made the big breakthrough in Glasgow, claiming Team NI's only boxing gold, but is not content to bask in his summer glory with the opportunity to build upon that momentum and emulate O'Connor's double.
"She is a big inspiration, winning the Commonwealths, had a week off and was back over in Birmingham to win [European] gold - hopefully I can replicate that," McConnell told BBC Sport NI in the build-up to his trip to Bulgaria.
"I'm on the right road. The Commonwealths was a goal for me since I was a kid. It's given me a taste for more and the only way to get that buzz is to go out and win major championships."
McConnell is part of a 14-strong Team Ireland squad preparing for action in Sofia that now includes Kellie McLoughlin at women's lightweight as two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington withdrew due to a hand injury.
While medals remain a coveted currency in any tournament, there is also an opportunity to test themselves against their rivals before qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles begins next year with the World Championships and European Games.
"It's going to be the same people you are boxing," McConnell noted.
"I take one fight and round at a time, but there is no reason why I can't be top of the podium as LA is my main goal.
"I'm national elite champion two years in a row, so if I can make that three in January, I should go to the qualifiers next year, but these European Championships I want to put a marker down."
Coach Kennedy happy with progress
Kennedy feels there are some Irish males ready to make the breakthrough after females brought all four medals home from the 2024 European Championships [Getty Images]Ireland returned from the previous European Championships in 2024, held in Serbia, with two gold and two bronze medals - all won by females including current team 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, but it has been nine years since Ireland's men took a medal at the World Championships with Joe Ward's silver and a further two from Michael Conlan becoming the only male to win a world gold.
Current interim head coach Damian Kennedy is confident there can be some new male stars emerge over the coming years and has noted their "progression since the start of January".
"Dean Clancy is going three fights deep into competitions on a regular basis, Jude Gallagher is going deep on a regular basis, Jack Marley is boxing the best I've ever seen him," Kennedy said.
"Sometimes success is measured in medals but that's not always the case as I've seen the progression here.
"There are a number of athletes about to tip over the edge and when the floodgates open for the males, it will be amazing to watch."
'I'm not a baby anymore' - Gallagher
Gallagher - a 2024 Olympian - was unable to make it back-to-back Commonwealth golds in Glasgow when eliminated at the semi-final stage by Nambia's Tryagain Ndevelo, leaving him with bronze to add to the featherweight title he won four years prior.
The Newtownstewart man remains something of an established figure on the international scene, but the 24-year-old wants to "start making my mark at international level now as I'm not a baby anymore" when looking ahead to the European Championships.
"These European Championships are very important coming into the cycle next year to qualify for LA," he agreed.
"You'll get to look at potential opponents you will face in qualifiers next season but also a good opportunity to lay down a marker and see where you are at and what you have to work on.
"It would be a massive confidence-boost [to medal] to know you're sitting among the best in Europe."
Michaela Walsh has already collected one silver and three bronze medals on the European stage [Getty Images]Michaela Walsh also fell short of retaining her 57kg Commonwealth title in Glasgow, beaten in the final by world champion Jaismine Lamboria, but it has been a productive year to date with a silver also secured at the Strandja Tournament.
The 33-year-old two-time Olympian has consistently proven herself European scene with three bronze and one silver medal already collected and while she continues to insist "a medal will never define me", that is not to be mistaken for a lack of ambition before this tournament and the countdown to the 2028 Olympics.
"This year I got to finals and have boxed top opposition including the Commonwealth Games against current world champion at my weight," the Belfast woman said.
"I have got experience there, so going to the Europeans, I do want to be on top of the podium but especially in the lead-up to LA, I want to be in with the top girls to have a looks at where I need to grow or work on.
"I've good momentum going into these Europeans with great team-mates around me. Seeing others do well drives you on."
Team Ireland
Shannon Sweeney (St Anne's BC, Mayo) Women's 48kg
Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry BC, Wicklow) Women's 51kg
Jennifer Lehane (DCU BC, Dublin) Women's 54kg
Michaela Walsh (Holy Family BC, Belfast) Women's 57kg
Kellie McLoughlin (St Catherine's BC, Dublin) Women's 60kg
Jude Gallagher (Two Castles Olympic, Tyrone) Men's 60kg
Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim) Men's 65kg
Evelyn Igharo (Clann Naofa BC, Louth) Women's 70kg
Jon McConnell (Holy Trinity BC, Belfast) Men's 70kg
Aoife O'Rourke (Castlerea BC, Roscommon) Women's 75kg
Gavin Rafferty (Dublin Docklands BC) Men's 75kg
Lisa O'Rourke (Castlerea BC, Roscommon) Women's 80kg
Cliona D'Arcy (Tobair Pheadair BC, Galway) Women's 80+kg