Casey Farrell, the 15-year-old daughter of Irish Open Event Coordinator Laura Carroll, has made it through to the final of the IFMA Youth Muay Thai World Championships in Abu Dhabi!
It’s a huge achievement for the Kilkenny schoolgirl who fights out of Waterford Muay Thai gym.
Mum Laura – a very well-known figure at the Irish Open – said: “We are absolutely thrilled she’s through to the final. She’s put in so much hard work to get here. It’s been an absolute roller-coaster but we’re wishing her tons of luck for tomorrow’s bout.”
Casey, who competes in the 14/15 yr old, +71kg Category, will be up against a fighter from Egypt in Friday’s final. Casey is no stranger to podium success in international competition: she won Gold at the Mediterranean Youth Muay Thai Championships in Turkey, last December. In November 2024, she won an Irish Sandee Open title in Dublin. She is one of 13 fighters representing Team Ireland at the Abu Dhabi contest including several team mates from Casey’s gym – Waterford Muay Thai. They include March 2025 Estonian Cup silver medallist Evie Hearne (who has to bow out of her finals due to picking up an injury) and Estonian Cup Gold medallists Shay Moore, AJ Kiely and Leigha Kinsella, who also took bronze at the Mediterranean Championships in December 2024. Casey had to miss the Estonia contest in March after unfortunately picking up an injury.
Team Ireland Head Coach John Walsh wasn’t in Casey’s corner during her fight due to a hospital emergency with another member of the team, Shane McConnell stood in as Head Coach. John will return to Casey’s corner tomorrow to help her on her quest to secure her first World Title. Best of luck to Casey tomorrow and her fellow team mate Saoirse Balfe Hogan who will also fight for Gold! Let’s go Team Ireland!
