Joyce admits he had to dig deep to realise his Olympic Dream

David Oliver Joyce was all about those who helped him and not himself after he finally secured an Olympic berth.

In what was his eight tournament entered in an attempt to qualify for the Games, Joyce defeated Volkan Gokcek on Sunday to become the sixth Irish fighter to qualify for Rio. 

Post fight Joyce was praise for those who helped him over nigh on ten years of trying.

The St Michael’s Athy lightweight dedicated his victory to his late grandmother, his family and thanked his his long term coach and his family. 

“I’m over the moon. I’ve been trying for this since 2007,” a relieved Joyce said after the bout.

“I want to dedicate this fight to my late granny, who passed away less than a year ago, who wanted to see me live my dream since I was a kid. I just want to say that I did it for her.

“I want to thank the staff that are with me here. The coaches, the doctors have done a fantastic job with me.”

“Most of all, I want to thank my club coach Dominic O’Rourke and my dad, who took me out of bed when I was a small kid to make me train and make me the boxer I am today.”

Joyce was also complimentary to his opponent post fight.

 “I dug deep right to the very end. He’s a great kid, that Turk guy. I’m sure he will qualify in the next couple of qualifiers. But I knew that I have the engine to go for it three rounds, flat out.”