image source, Getty Images
- author, nigel ringland
- role, BBC Sport Northern Ireland
Tokyo bronze medalist Aidan Walsh will lead Ireland's top seven team in the final world qualifying tournament for the Paris Olympics.
Walsh returned to the ring in March after a 14-month hiatus, but lost in his second match of the first world qualifying tournament in Milan.
The 27-year-old has one last chance to qualify for his second Olympic Games alongside his sister Michaela.
The second World Olympic Qualification will be held from May 21st to June 2nd in Bangkok, Thailand.
Other members of the Irish squad include European competitors Dinah Moorhouse (50kg), Jennifer Lehane (54kg), Grainne Walsh (66kg), Sean Mulli (51kg) and Kellyn Cassidy. (80kg) and super heavyweight athlete Martin McDonagh. Winning three Irish titles in 10 months in 2023 at Under-22s, Seniors and Elite.
Six boxers from the Irish team have already qualified.
Current Olympic lightweight champion Kelly Harrington and fellow Tokyo Olympians Michaela Walsh and Aoife O'Rourke have all already secured spots.
Jude Gallagher has booked a ticket to Paris for the first Olympic world qualifier, while Dean Clancy and heavyweight Jack Marley have qualified for the 2023 European Games.
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The rigorous qualification process for boxers
More than 600 boxers have entered the Bangkok Games, so boxers will be competing for spots, similar to the first Olympic World Qualification in March. That means they will stop boxing in the qualifying matches.
There will be four Paris berths available in the five weight classes Ireland is competing in.
Walsh's light-middleweight (71kg) division has five spots for the Olympics in the French capital, while the 80kg division has three.
The Irish team will complete their preparations at a multinational camp in Hua Hin, Thailand.
50kg: Dinah Moorhouse, Enniskerry BC, County Wicklow
54kg: Jennifer Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin
66kg: Grainne Walsh, St. Mary's BC, Tallaght, Dublin
51kg: Sean Mari, Monkstown BC, Dublin
71kg: Aidan Walsh, Holy Family Golden Grove BC, Belfast
80kg: Kerryn Cassidy, Crystal the Redeemer, Waterford.
92kg or more: Martin McDonagh, Galway Boxing Club.
