Grace Conway was recently selected to box for Ireland in a home Under 18 international - Ireland V France, which was held at Holy Family Boxing Club in Drogheda.

Grace faced the French Champion, Shaina Fernandez, who had already notched up an International win earlier in the week. The strong French girl pressed the fight from the outset and kept up a very strong aggressive work rate till the final bell, seeking to work on the inside to land her heavy shots.

The Tredagh star and double European Silver medallist had an answer for everything though and she showed her pure class by landing her trademark hard hitting backhand to the oncoming traffic to tremendous effect.

Grace’s angling shots and bilateral movement was exquisite throughout the three rounds which must have caused a certain amount of dizziness for the French Champion.

Even when Shaina did get inside, it was the Ireland Star who won the exchanges with fast and powerful blows supplemented with eye catching angling hooks to scupper the French tactics and excite the large support for Grace.

The decision was never in any doubt and all five judges declaring Grace International Champion. This is Grace's second International win this year while only a few weeks ago notching up another win against the Welsh Champion, while captaining the Ireland team on that occasion.

Congratulations to Grace on an impeccable performance which is testimony to her hard work ethic, training six days a week and a lot of those days are double sessions in the morning before she goes to school and then, in the evening back to Tredagh Headquarters.

Congratulations also to her supportive parents Mick Conway and Theresa Dowling. A big thank you to the Tredagh coaches who have been working with Grace for all their hard work which shone in the ring. The club and Grace would also like to send a big shout out to Integral Fitness and Leisure Drogheda & Justin Kellett (Manager) for sponsoring Grace and helping her with her strength & Conditioning which was really evident in the ring.

Also Big Thank you to Anto Donnelly (President of the IABA) for making these internationals happen. Also Thanks to Holy Family Boxing Club for a great venue and Jim Gorman (Team Manager Ireland).