“I’m living the dream.” – That’s how Kelyn Cassidy of Saviours Crystals sums up his mindset ahead of the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, where he’ll be joined by Tramore’s Zara Breslin and St. Paul’s coach Lynne McEnery as part of a 17-strong Irish squad.
Cassidy, a seasoned international with world championship experience in 2021, is embracing this second opportunity with open arms.
“You don’t get these opportunities too often and you have to grab them with both hands,” he says. “I’m just really looking forward to seeing how much I’ve come on — mixing it with the best in training camps and pushing myself day in, day out.”
15 November 2024; Kelyn Cassidy of Savours Crystal BC, right, in action against James Whelan of Dublin Docklands BC at the IABA National Elite Boxing Championships Finals at the National Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
This will be the first time in history that two Waterford boxers will compete at the same world championships — a huge moment for the local boxing scene. Even more historic is Breslin’s participation: she’ll be the first Waterford woman to represent Ireland at this level.
“It’s fantastic,” Breslin says. “To have two people from Waterford, a small little county down here, representing Ireland — and then to have a coach as well. You have three from Waterford going to the World Championships. It’s just amazing.”
Behind these individual stories is a broader movement in Irish boxing, one that McEnery sees first-hand every week. She points to the increasing quality across all levels of competition as both a cause and effect of a strengthened national programme.
“What’s happening at the moment is that the clubs are seeing boxers bringing back what they’re learning in high performance,” McEnery explains. “Everybody’s learning from that, and it’s raised the standard of Irish boxing massively.”
From elite squads to grassroots development, the benefits are rippling through the system.
“You’ve got kids now that are 12 or 13 and their performances are unbelievable. I’ve been up in Dublin the last six Saturdays helping with a group of 24 boxers going to Orlando, and you can see the learning week by week.”
This transfer of knowledge — from top-tier athletes to local clubs — is something Breslin has experienced herself.
“Anything I’m learning in high performance, I’m definitely bringing back to my club coaches, and they’re passing it on to the younger kids. It’s constant growth.”
21 January 2023; Kellie Harrington of St Marys Boxing Club, Dublin, right, celebrates victory over Zara Breslin of Tramore Boxing Club, Waterford, after their lightweight 60kg final bout at the IABA National Elite Boxing Championships Finals at the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Support for the athletes in Waterford has been nothing short of incredible, says Cassidy.
“We back our own here. Everyone is out for everyone. When myself and Zara go away, there’ll be the same buzz back home.”
The pride is mutual. Cassidy recalls the unique role sport played during the pandemic, when people were isolated but united behind their athletes.
“People were watching me on telly at the world championships when they couldn’t even leave the house. It brought a bit of buzz back to the area.”
The connection between local pride and international success is something McEnery doesn’t take for granted. As she puts it:
“You meet people in the supermarket and they’re chatting about the old days. What we miss now is seeing the elites on RTE — we need those days back.”
While their eyes are firmly set on Liverpool, all three are keenly aware of how far they’ve come. McEnery recently got a Facebook reminder of Breslin’s first under-18 title, and an old photo of a very young Cassidy in a headguard.
“The two of them are now representing Ireland on the elite scene. It’s brilliant,” she says. “But I’m a bit like Roy Keane — it’s just me job.”
Yet that job — coaching full-time in the high-performance unit — is one she cherishes.
“I’m living the dream now. Going into training with the lads, doing pads, learning from each other — the positivity up there is just brilliant.”
1 March 2025; Coaches Zaur Antia, right, and Lynne McEnery during his the 63.5kg semi-final bout between Dean Clancy of Ireland and Bazarbayuulu Mukhammedsabyr of Kazakhstan at the 76th International Boxing Tournament Strandja semi-finals at Sofia Sports Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria. Photo by Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
When asked about their dreams, all three gave answers steeped in pride, perspective, and gratitude.
“The dream is always to represent your country,” says Breslin. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to go to these world championships and perform to the best of my ability — and then hopefully get a medal.”
For Cassidy, the dream is already happening.
“I’m boxing full-time, I have a happy, healthy family, I’m fit, and I’ve got people around me. I’m just living the dream.”
McEnery echoes the sentiment but adds a powerful reminder of what goes unseen behind the scenes.
“People don’t know how much training these guys put in. It’s not just physically tough — it’s mentally draining. The worst feeling is probably half an hour before you get into the ring. You’re fighting the two devils on either shoulder saying, ‘What the hell am I doing this for?’ But they get in anyway. That’s what makes them special.”
And for Irish boxing — and Waterford — the more athletes and coaches like these three, the brighter the future.
“The more Waterford boxers we have up in high performance,” McEnery says, “the better it is for the county — and for the sport.”
