Retirement thoughts in the past for Irish record holder Michaela Walsh
CHAMPION: Michaela Walsh celebrates her win. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy.
Michaela Walsh is aiming to end a two-year wait for international success after claiming a record 14th Irish Elite title having come close to hanging up the gloves before the Paris Olympics.
Now 32, Walsh has claimed eight major medals for Ireland on the international stage and represented her country at the Tokyo and Paris Games, but she found herself struggling prior to that appearance in the French capital.
“I was going to walk away from boxing [but] I think I’ve found a way to enjoy it,” she said at the weekend.
The Belfast featherweight benefited from work with Paul Gaffney, a clinical psychologist with Sport Ireland, at the time. And the decision by her younger brother and 2020 bronze medallist Aidan to give Paris a crack after his own retirement thoughts “lit a fire” in her.
Aidan, who was open about his mental health struggles through his career - and how they affected people close to him, including his sister - eventually retired late last year at the age of 28, and was in her corner in Dublin on Saturday when she won her latest Irish title.
“I'm kind of lucky in the way that Aidan’s retired because he's been able to put a lot of time and effort into me. I've noticed that in my preparation, in my confidence, in my body language. I think it's added so much more to my game.
“He doesn't have to worry about himself now and I don't have to worry about him fighting. So I'm able to fully be me and to have the support of not only him but my dad there.
“Aidan's put a lot of time into me over Christmas. It was tough and there were times I wanted to kill him. But when you get good performances like that, and I'm boxing to the standard that I want to be boxing at, it's worth it.”
Walsh saw off Sarah Cunningham in the 57kg by unanimous decision and is now looking to claim a ninth international medal, and a first since claiming silver at the European Games in 2023, to her list of achievements.
“I haven't won an international medal now in two years, so this year I really want to set my mark on the international scene. I still believe I have a lot left and I don't want to walk away from amateur boxing until I know I've reached my full potential.”
The annual and prestigious Strandja tournament could be her next port of call. There are a handful of World Cups in 2026, a European Championships in September and a Commonwealth Games that she hasn’t yet been selected for.
The aim is to register 10-15 fights this year. Do that and she’ll have put herself into the mix for a podium place or two and it will serve as an effective launch pad for a crack at a third Olympic Games when the qualifiers for LA 2028 get going in 2027.
Not that a third Games is the be all and end all.
“I'm not focusing on Olympics, Olympics, Olympics. Before, I think I always set my mind that I have to be an Olympic champion. Then, if you don't reach that, you feel worthless in a way. That's not what life's about.
“I just want to live in the moment, take it fight by fight. If I achieve something at that level, I do achieve it. I’m proud of my career, no matter what. If I won [Saturday night], got my 14th title, or didn’t and won 13 Irish Elite titles, it's special.”
Part of that is down to her work with Gaffney and her brother. More of it owes to the recent passing of fellow Belfast Paul McCullagh who passed away at the age of just 25 after a short illness recently.
“Aidan was good friends with Paul. I think it shows you there's more to life than boxing. If you win, you win, if you lose, you lose. There's going to be someone after me. It gives you a bit of perspective on life.
“Aidan always says sport is usually a third of your life. For me it's two-thirds, I've been doing it that long. At the end of the day, life's more important. As long as I'm happy, I'll still be here trying to do the best I can.”
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