Kellie Harrington has signalled her intention to represent Ireland again, although her return to the international stage will be carefully managed following her comeback earlier this year. While six Olympians travel to Brazil on Sunday as part of an 11-strong Irish squad for the opening leg of this year’s World Boxing Cup series, the 36-year-old Dubliner is not making the trip.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist ended a 16-month competitive lay-off in emphatic fashion at the Elite National Championships, claiming her 12th title at the National Stadium.
Harrington admitted afterwards that she remained uncertain about her long-term future in the sport. However, within the high performance unit it is now expected that she will grace the international stage again. “We approach all athletes with an individual mindset and Kellie is no different,” said interim high-performance head coach Damian Kennedy.
“She is back, she is boxing, she is training, but we feel this is not the competition for her to return to. It’s part of a broader management approach and she is fully in agreement with that.”
With more than two years to go until the Los Angeles Olympics, it remains to be seen if Harrington will attempt to extend her career to a third Games. For now, her focus will remain firmly short-term.
“Kellie has always taken it one competition at a time,” Kennedy said. “She has never looked beyond the next step and that won’t change. It will be a gradual approach from here, and that will dictate how long the journey continues.”
The Irish set-up is itself in a period of transition following the departure of long-serving head coach Zaur Antia, who has joined Billy Walsh in the United States Olympic programme.
National performance director Jon Mackey said stability was the priority in the immediate term, with a demanding schedule ahead before any permanent appointment is made.
“We had an honest conversation after Zaur stepped away,” Mackey said. “We are facing into a very busy international calendar and while people naturally look towards LA 2028, the reality is that qualification effectively begins next year at the European Games.
“We have Brazil now, then China, followed by a short period to reflect before the Commonwealth Games [in August]. It makes sense to allow that sequence to play out before finalising any recruitment process.”
Antia, who spent over two decades helping to shape Boxing Ireland’s high-performance system, remains in regular contact with Kennedy as the HP unit transitions in a new era.
Mackey noted that while Kennedy brings his own methods, there is continuity in philosophy, with an increased emphasis on problem-solving and scenario-based training.
“The athletes are responding very positively,” he said. “It is a fresh approach but one that still builds on what has been established over many years.”
Zaur’s presence is missed – he is a big personality – but he has been very supportive of the transition. We are in regular contact and his influence is still there in many ways.
“It has been a change, but it has been a positive one, and we are happy with the direction the programme is taking.”
