Rio calling for Euro medallist Desmond
The 17-year-old welterweight secured bronze at last week’s European youth championships and is hopeful her efforts in Hungary spell the beginning of a successful career in the ring.
“I’ll be just after turning 20 when Rio swings around, but that is the goal, that is what I want to achieve,” said Desmond, a native of Cúil a Bhuachaigh in the Muskerry Gaeltacht. “It was a dream to compete at the Europeans but to get to Rio would be amazing.”
Participation in the Games requires years of hard slog but the multiple national champion is prepared for the road ahead. Building up to the Europeans, Desmond was turning in four-hour daily shifts at the Macroom club.
“I am committed to boxing long-term, I gave up the ladies football this season, because at this level you have to be committed.
“Because I am the only female boxer [in the club] I spar against the lads. I’m well able for them at this stage. I get on better with the lads anyway.”
Indeed, Desmond would regularly step into the ring with twin brother Michael, himself a national underage champion.
“We spar alright, but he’s not allowed hit me, he’s too strong,” she laughs.
Desmond will enjoy further international experience when she travels to Napa for the World Youth Championships in September and the endeavours of last week should stand her in good stead.
She comfortably overcame Slovakia’s Katrina Kosmac in the quarter-final, but had little time to prepare for the penultimate round encounter against favourite Carlata Hansen of Germany.
“I felt emotional going into the ring for the quarter-final because it was my first international bout. It was my first time to fight outside the country, but I wasn’t nervous at all.
“The fight went really well for me and I won by unanimous verdict, 3-0. I only learned at 10pm after my quarter-final that I would be out again in the semi-final on Wednesday morning. It was difficult to prepare when I heard that.”
The German would prove too strong but Desmond was pleased with her performance, safe in the knowledge she had been overpowered by Europe’s finest.
“She had a lot more experience, but I thought I fought well and I look forward to going up against her again.
“I went the full four rounds with her, put her to the test and was happy with my performance. The judges’ decision was 2-1, and you know she was a bit over me and she went on to win it out.”
Stepping onto the podium was a “massive moment” for the young boxer, supported from the stands by her father and brother who both made the trip to Keszthely. “I was bursting with pride,” she adds.
Overall, the Irish squad secured 15 medals at the championships and arrived home to a rousing reception on Sunday night.
“Everyone was there to greet us. RTÉ were there and there were so many other reporters. This kind of attention is new, but it was very exciting all the same.”
Such attention may represent unchartered territory for Desmond, but should her exploits continue on an upward trajectory, she may as well get used to it.
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