Ciara Ginty’s growing reputation as a major talent in women’s boxing was underlined at the 2017 IABA Elite Boxing Championship finals in Dublin – Ireland’s premier national amateur boxing championships – when she won the (64kg) light-welterweight title in emphatic fashion.
The 19-year old IT Sligo Sports Scholarship student, who is studying Health Science & Physiology, beat Limerick’s Emma Agnew unanimously on points (5-0) in the final at the National Stadium.
‘That winning feeling’ – IT Sligo’s Ciara Ginty celebrates after beating Emma Agnew of Dealgan in the 64kg final. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
“it’s nice to win a national title at any grade but winning the ‘Elite’ is what every boxer wants,” said a delighted Ciara.
“The final was a tough fight but my semi-final win over Cheyanne O’Neill was probably the hardest as she had beaten me a few weeks previously.”
Ciara returned to competitive boxing last November after an 18-month break to concentrate on her Leaving Certificate studies and then making the transition to IT Sligo.
This victory showed he as lost none of her sporting ability when it comes to achieving success.
The Geesala native previously won nine national titles at underage level as well as being crowned World Junior Champion in 2013. She was also a silver medallist for Ireland at the World Youth Olympics in 2014.
However the Elite title is her first at senior level.
Ciara is one of 22 new recipients of IT Sligo Sports Scholarships in 2017. The Institute allocates €50,000 in funding to the programme each year and all students are entitled to apply.
Find out more about the IT Sligo Sports Scholarship programmes here.
Photo caption (top):
‘That winning feeling’ IT Sligo’s Ciara Ginty show her delight at winning the IABA Elite Light Welterweight boxing title in Dublin last Friday night.
Picture: Eóin Noonan, Sportsfile.