Gráinne Walsh hopes she has put herself in position for Olympic qualification after years of setbacks

After starting the year with an impressive victory over Amy Broudhurst, Offaly boxer Gráinne Walsh retained her welterweight national title with victory over Christina Desmond.

Despite being injury free, something Gráinne has struggled with, it has been a mixed 2023 for her, which saw Gráinne switch gyms and be overlooked for the European championships.

However, with the unanimous decision victory, she told Breakingnews.ie how much retaining the 66kg title last weekend meant to her.

"The feeling never gets old when you get to retain your title. On the back of all the injuries and setbacks I have had, this year was definitely something special.

"Being able to win two titles back-to back at Olympic weight, solidify myself as the best 66kg in Ireland for the second time, was really something special.

"It has definitely been a year of ups and downs. When I beat Amy, it was a major highlight of my career, and I felt like the year was just going to take off and go really well. Then my club coach of 11 years left Ireland and joined Team India, so that was a huge blow.

"I just had to keep chipping away and making moves that would put me in a good position, and I did thankfully. I joined St Mary's boxing club in Tallaght, and I have teamed up with Noel Burke, Kellie Harrington's coach as well. I feel like I made the necessary adjustments and kept working hard, and I think I showed at the weekend I'm not going down without a fight.

In a year that started with such promise, Gráinne made everyone take notice with her win over Amy Broudhurst. Despite her victory, it was Broadherst who was chosen ahead of Gráinne for the European Championships, which also served as a qualifying event for Paris 2024.

While Broudhurst was defeated in