Chairperson hosts reception for local boxing heroes – Amy Broadhurst, Orla Garvey and Shauna O’Callaghan

The Council Chairperson, Councillor Naomi Bailie hosted  a reception in Crossmaglen Community Centre on Friday 11 September 2015 to honour the achievements of local boxers, Amy Broadhurst, Orla Garvey and Shauna O’Callaghan at the European Women’s Youth and Junior Boxing Championships in Hungary. The girls were members of Team Ireland, with Amy winning a gold medal in the European Youth Featherweight section, and Orla and Shauna both winning Junior Silver medals.

As first Citizen of Newry, Mourne and Down District, Councillor Bailie expressed her pride and delight at the girls’ achievements, saying “it is wonderful to see young people from the area achieving such high accolades at this early stage of their sporting careers”.

The Chairperson commended the girls on the hard work and commitment they put into their training schedules to achieve such fantastic results.  She also paid tribute to the girls’ parents and mentors for their input which, she said, was vital to the girls on their road to victory.

Chairperson, Councillor Bailie said “this is an important milestone for these young boxers who have competed and won at international level.   This achievement has given them experience of international competition and no doubt, with their dedication, commitment and sporting ability, they will continue to improve and achieve yet more success in competition at regional, national and international level”.

Councillor Bailie urged the girls to continue to aim high, saying she had every confidence they would do so and bring yet more sporting glory to the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.  She presented individual trophies to Amy, Orla and Shauna to honour their achievements, following which she hosted refreshments and took the opportunity to speak informally with the girls, their families and mentors.