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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Westport's Shannon Sweeney celebrates after being crowned European senior champion. Pic: Sportsfile
THERE were wild celebrations in The Pete Callaghan Gym in Westport this evening when Shannon Sweeney was crowned European senior boxing champion in Belgrade. The St Anne's BC fighter outpointed Bulgaria's Zlatislava Gena Chukanov in the 50kg Light Flyweight final and the scenes of joy among her family and friends watching back in Westport were a joy to behold.
Sweeney boxed brilliantly in the hard, tight final against the aggressive Bulgarian and found herself 3-2 behind after a tough first round, but she boxed brilliantly on the back foot in the second stanza and the scores were balanced going into the final three minutes with one judge having Sweeney ahead, another opting for Chukanov and the other three saying the bout was level.
It was all to play for and Sweeney struck for home. Chukanov came forward but the St Anne's boxer moved well and chose her moments to strike. She caught the Bulgarian consistently and when the final bell sounded there was hope among her followers in Westport that she was going to achieve greatness.
Seasoned boxing people in the audience knew there was little between the fighters and there was a great sense of tension in the air as the verdict was awaited. Then, the ring-announcer confirmed Sweeney as champion of Europe and the roof nearly rose off The Pete Callaghan Gym. The woman who arrived in the club as a three-year-old had made history on a global stage and it was time to celebrate.
"This is one of the greatest moments we've ever had in St Anne's, in Westport and in Mayo. Ray (Moylette) has a European senior title and now Shannon has one," Martin Brennan, Sweeney's coach told The Mayo News. "Nobody deserves it more - she has left everything on the line for boxing and is an absolute inspiration to so many," he added.
Peter Mullen, President of St Anne's was highly emotional and said it was one of the greatest moments the club has ever had. "This is a very special moment, and I can hardly believe it. To see Shannon winning the European title is unbelievable and I'm over the moon."
A full report and reaction from the happy home gym of the new European champion will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.
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