NO STOPPING DAINA!
Moorehouse eyes Europeans after All-Ireland joy
DAINA MOOREHOUSE is an All-Ireland champion once again.
The St. Kilian’s fourth year student landed an incredible fourth Irish Open Championships following a unanimous decision victory on Friday night.
And the Bray teen did so at U-18 level despite not turning 17 until September but she had confidence in her own ability despite what she may have given in height and age.
“I was 100% going in expecting to win. I know that I was against a good boxer who I’m very familiar with so I was ready and I knew what type of boxing to expect from her.
“I was absolutely over the moon when the referee raised my hand. I felt like crying with happiness as I trained so hard for these. I put 110 per cent into training every day. I was hungry for gold.
“I wanted that fourth Irish title so bad and when my hand was raised it was honestly the best feeling in the world.”
With one eye on a trip to Italy in April for the European Youth Championships - where has succeeded previously - there was no break from her daily routine even the morning after clinching gold.
“Back training at six this morning - no days off for me. I set my alarm for 5:40, got up, got changed and straight out the door for a jog. It was tough as I was a bit sore from boxing the day before but I just kept pushing myself for bigger and better things.
“I’m 100 per cent going over to the Europeans expecting to become another European champion. It is going to be harder and tough for me as I’m boxing 16, 17 and 18-yearolds and I have moved up to three by three minute rounds but I’m going to the Europeans with confidence.
“I want gold again so bad. I want to make my goals become a reality and I want this gold again more than anything and I’m going to be training so hard for these. “There is nothing stopping me.”
Report and photos from Daina’s fight inside.