Mayo boxer Shannon Sweeney arrives home to Westport

SHANNON Sweeney, Mayo's newest European champion boxer, has arrived home to Westport.

Large crowds flocked to the Octagon this evening to welcome home the St Anne's BC fighter, who won the 50k Light Flyweight European title when she overcame Bulgaria's Zlatislava Gena Chukanov on points on Saturday.

There were scenes of great excitement and emotion a Sweeney was given Garda escort and a hero's welcome in her hometown this evening (Monday). 

St Anne's BC stalwarts Peter Mullen and Martin Brennan were among the large crowd who cheered as Shannon greeted the adoring crowd from the balcony of Westport Town Hall with her European gold medal hanging from her neck.

_{Shannon Sweeney (fourth from right) pictured (left to right) with Peter Mullen from St Anne's BC, Cllr John O'Malley, Cllr Brendan Mulroy, Martin Brennan from St Anne's BC, Michael Ring TD, Cllr Christy Hyland and Cllr Peter Flynn}

In an emotional address to the crowd, Sweeney described her victory as ‘a dream’ of hers. 

“I am thrilled on honoured to be here in front of you all here this evening with my gold medal. It has been a dream of mine,” she said before taking an emotional pause that was quickly filled by cheering from the crowd.

“It has been a dream of mine to become a European champion... I am overwhelmed and delighted that you came out this evening to welcome me home. I have never imagined such a turnout. I am completely humbled by the outpouring of support.”

She continued: “I have not gotten over the last number of weeks and in some cases, years, this is why we love Mayo and I’m so proud to be a Westport Mayo lady.”

Shannon then thanked all those who had supported her along her journey to winning the European title. 

Westport Chamber of Commerce President Dermot Langan hosted the homecoming event, which was described by local TD Michael Ring as ‘a proud night for Westport, a proud night for Mayo and a proud night for Ireland’.

Deputy Ring pledged to carry the boxer across the Carrowbeg River into Westport should she win a medal at the Olympics in 2028. 

Watch the reaction in St Anne's BC, Westport, the moment Shannon Sweeney was crowned European champion:

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