Amy Broadhurst's switch to Team GB was 'painful' but IABA was 'professional'

"We just tried to be professional about it. Everything that was requested of us, we did.

Amy Broadhurst of Ireland after her defeat against Rosie Joy Eccles of Great Britain in their Women's 66kg quarter final bout at the 2023 European Games in Krakow, Poland. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

IABA high performance director Tricia Heberle said Amy Broadhurst switching her allegiance from Ireland to Great Britain was "painful" but the organisation made every effort to be as "professional" as possible in facilitating the move.

After Gráinne Walsh was selected to box for Ireland in the 66kg category at the final Olympic qualifier in Bangkok, Broadhurst - the 2022 light welterweight world champion from Dundalk who qualifies to compete for Great Britain through her father - committed to Team GB. She was subsequently selected for the qualifier in Bangkok but the 27-year-old failed to punch her Paris ticket after losing at the quarter-final stage.