Where’s the Bualadh Bos for our boxers?

The World Boxing Championships loom large in Liverpool.

The crème de la crème of the amateur ranks descending upon Merseyside for eleven days in September, and a Waterford trio among them - it promises to be one of the sporting highlights of the year. That’s not just here in the Déise, but for Ireland as a whole. Even still, it won’t get anywhere near as much exposure as it warrants.

Earlier this week, as you’ll read elsewhere in this edition of Waterford Sport - I had a chance to pick the brains of Kelyn Cassidy, Zara Breslin and Lynne McEnery. Saviours Crystals, Tramore and St. Paul’s on the world stage. Working with the genius of Zaur Antia at high performance level, Cassidy and Breslin can now see the world as their oyster. As for McEnery, since she became involved in the Irish set-up, Ireland have won a whole host of medals on the biggest of stages - I wouldn’t consider that a coincidence.

Waterford boxing is riding the crest of a wave right now, and the level of success being experienced is phenomenal and unprecedented in equal measure. Watching Cassidy and Breslin in Liverpool with McEnery in their corner will feel like a watershed moment, but it’s one that’s been years in the making. They’ll both have their heads down and be fully focused on the task at hand as will all of their Irish teammates, but there’s a real cause for optimism and excitement come the sound of the first bell on September 4th.

During the course of our conversations, McEnery made a fantastic point that got me thinking. We don’t see boxing getting enough exposure anymore - despite it being Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport with 18 medals and counting. Growing up, I got to see Katie Taylor in 2012, Kenny Egan, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, John Joe Nevin, the late Darren Sutherland, the list goes on.

I remember watching Bernard Dunne and Andy Lee in major title fights. Nowadays, boxing isn’t on terrestrial television. Pay-per-view is the name of the game when it comes to the professional ranks and that’s fair enough, but for the amateur pugilists - the spotlight they deserve is so often short-lived through no fault of their own.

It’s easy to forget, sometimes, that some of Ireland’s greatest sporting achievements have come in dimly lit halls rather than cavernous stadiums. The truth is, Irish boxing has never needed the bells and whistles. No fireworks, no anthemic build-up music - just gumshields, gloves, and raw talent. And that’s what we’re going to see in Liverpool: a stripped-back, honest-to-God sporting showcase where the Irish corner will be one to watch from Day One.

What sets this Irish team apart isn’t just their medals or rankings - it’s their depth. There’s no weak link. From the established names to those making their senior debut on the global stage, every fighter knows what it means to wear the vest. For Waterford, having not just one but three representatives involved is staggering. It’s a testament to the grassroots clubs putting in the work year-round with little fanfare.

There’s a steely, quiet confidence about Kelyn Cassidy these days. He’s not a kid anymore - he’s a seasoned campaigner with serious intent. The belief is not misplaced, either. Technically sharp and mentally dialled in, he’s the type of athlete who thrives in tournament boxing. His journey has been anything but linear, but setbacks have made him stronger. This is his time. The two guys who saw him off en route to the Olympics, gold and silver medalists now. Go figure.

Zara Breslin, too, is a boxer’s boxer. Calm, composed, but with that glint in the eye that tells you she knows exactly what she wants out of all this. A product of Tramore’s boxing culture - tight-knit, driven, never satisfied - she’s got that ability to switch gears mid-bout that separates the good from the elite. Don’t be surprised if she emerges as one of the breakout names from Liverpool. She’s fought Kellie Harrington enough times, Lord knows she’ll never fight tougher.

As for McEnery, you could write an entire column on her coaching impact alone. She’s part of a new wave of high-performance Irish coaches bringing modern edge to traditional foundations. Her voice carries weight because it’s built on hard-earned credibility. Ireland’s medal haul since her arrival at the senior level speaks volumes - but she’d be the first to deflect attention back to the athletes. That humility, combined with tactical nous, is invaluable in the corners of major tournaments.

There’s also something to be said for the timing of this championship. In an Olympic cycle, with Paris less than a year away, Liverpool takes on a whole new significance. This is about momentum, about staking claims, about drawing lines in the sand. Ireland has traditionally peaked well during Olympic qualifiers, but the landscape is more competitive than ever. Countries are investing big, and amateur boxing is evolving fast. Staying ahead of that curve is no small feat - and yet, Ireland continues to punch well above its weight.

And still, coverage lags behind. McEnery was dead right - boxing isn’t in the public eye the way it should be. Outside of Olympic years or occasional documentaries, amateur boxers are often invisible. Compare that with rugby, which dominates headlines year-round. Or even GAA, where club fixtures in October can generate more national interest than a European boxing medal. It’s frustrating. And it’s a disservice to athletes who commit themselves to full-time training for what is, essentially, a part-time platform.

When I asked the three Waterford representatives what drove them, the answers were refreshingly straightforward: representing Ireland, representing their club, pushing their limits. No talk of fame, fortune, or endorsement deals - just pure sport. That clarity of purpose is what makes them dangerous in the ring. And it’s what makes them so easy to root for.

So come September, whether it’s through a livestream, a few lines in the paper, or just word of mouth in the gym, let’s make sure we follow their journey. Because make no mistake - this is a huge moment for Waterford sport. It’s a huge moment for Irish boxing. And years from now, when we talk about the stars who lit up Paris or LA or beyond, don’t be surprised if we trace it back to Liverpool, and to a Déise trio who simply refused to be overlooked.

Michael Reilly, Jude Fitzgerald and many other young stars names will adorn the pages of this paper in the years to come - with names like Cassidy, Breslin and McEnery in the headlines, they’ll have all the inspiration they could ever require right on their own doorstep.