European Youth Latest
August 17 IABA Press Release
The Irish Youth team have been sparring with Germany and the Netherlands at the National Stadium in Dublin for the last three days ahead of the eagerly anticipated opening bell for the European Youth Championships at the Citywest Hotel Convention Centre next Monday.
Thirty eight nations including Ireland have registered to compete at the prestigious Irish Amateur Amateur Boxing Association hosted event.
Tommy Murphy, President of the IABA, said that everyone associated with Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport was looking forward to hosting the biggest amateur boxing tournament staged in Ireland since the highly successful 2007 European Union Championships at the National Stadium.
“The 2011 European Youth Championships is one of the rungs on the ladder to the 2016 Olympics Games, said the IABA President. “Everyone associated with boxing in Ireland is looking forward to welcoming some of the best young amateur boxers from all over Europe to Dublin.
“We are very proud to be hosting such a wonderful tournament in Dublin and promises to be a fantastic sporting occasion for all concerned. I would urge everyone involved with our sport to come along to the Citywest Hotel next week to cheer on our talented Irish team and see some of the best Youth boxers in Europe in action.”
Irish coach Billy McClean said that they were very pleased with the training and sparring in the lead up to the Championships and the ten-strong Irish squad are in great spirits ahead of the 38-nation event.
“The boys are in great spirits and looking forward to getting in the ring and representing their country at the European Youth Championships. Our training and sparring sessions with Germany and the Netherlands have gone very well and we are very pleased with those sessions.”
“It is going to be a tough tournament, thirty eight nations are taking part, but our boys have trained hard and have been prepared well for the challenges ahead.”
Michael Carruth, who claimed gold at the 1992 Olympics, wants to see Irish fans getting behind the Boys in Green at the Citywest.
“Our lads will be putting themselves up against some of the best at the Citywest and that’s where they want to be, competing against the best, said Carruth.
“I have no doubt that it will be a top class tournament. Thirty eight nations are taking part and these young lads from all over Europe are the future of the sport and this tournament is a stepping stone for Youth boxing in Europe.
“The Citywest is also a fantastic venue and we’re all looking forward to this event. We have home advantage and I would like to see boxing fans come along to the Citywest to get behind our lads next week.”
Meanwhile, the Irish squad will decamp to the Citywest on Saturday ahead of Monday’s weigh-in and draw and preliminary round bouts.
The opening ceremony will be held after Monday’s weigh-in and draw, followed by preliminary round bouts.
European Youth Championships Citywest Hotel Dublin
Irish European Youth Squad
49Kg: Evan Metcalfe (Crumlin)
52Kg: Joe Fitzpatrick (Immaculata)
56Kg: George Bates (St Mary’s)
60Kg: Michael McDonagh (St Mary’s)
64Kg: Kieran Forde (Monivea)
69Kg: Christy Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)
75Kg: Stephen Broadhurst (Dealgan)
81Kg: Gary Sweeney (All Stars)
91Kg: Jack Morrissey (Sacre Coeur)
91+Kg: Thomas Conroy (Ballyhaunis)