Roisin Hegarty, a talented young boxer from Letterkenny, is set to compete at the European Schoolgirls Championships, aiming for a medal in Banya Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The 12-year-old, who has been boxing since the age of eight, is a three-time Irish champion and Ireland's representative in the 60kgs category. She recently graduated from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál and is due to start at Loreto Secondary School at the end of August.
Hegarty, a member of the Illies Golden Gloves boxing club, has been training hard for this prestigious event. She has honed her skills under the guidance of coaches like Stephen Friel and John Elliott, also from Letterkenny.
The young athlete's boxing journey began at the tender age of eight. Inspired by Olympic lightweight champion Kellie Harrington, Hegarty has consistently impressed in national competitions. In 2023, she claimed her first national title, winning the Girl 1 51kgs division. The following year, she secured her second and third national titles, winning the Girl 2 57kgs title in April and the National Junior Cadet title at 60kgs in June.
Hegarty's determination and dedication to her sport have earned her a place on the 29-strong Irish team. She is eager to compete at the European Championships, which will take place from August 1st to 10th.
The event will mark the 21st iteration of the European Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Championships. Previous successes for Irish boxers at this tournament include Carleigh Irvine's bronze medal in the 46kgs division at the 2019 European Schoolgirl Championships, and gold for Steven O'Reilly in the 68kgs category in 2004.
Hegarty is looking forward to the challenge ahead. "I'm delighted to be going," she said. "I can't wait to get started at the Championships now. It's very good to get going to this."
She is determined to bring home a medal: "It feels very good to be going away now," she said. "I'm buzzing for it. I really hope I can come back with any medal."
With her talent, dedication, and strong support network, Hegarty is well-positioned to make a mark on the European stage. The Letterkenny community is behind her, eagerly awaiting news of her performance in Bosnia & Herzegovina.