Ireland name team for Romanian multi-nations

Ireland have named their team for the Nicolae Linca Golden Belt multi-nations in Romania at the end of the month.

The tournament begins in Galati City on September 25th and runs until September 30th where 12 Irish boxers will compete.

Team Ireland is building toward November’s European Union Men’s Championships in Madrid and the AIBA World Women’s Championships in New Delhi.

The 12 fighters selected give some indication – although no confirmation – on the teams that will be sent to these tournaments.

10 of the selected fighters were champions at the Senior championships back in February.

Joe Ward, who was competing in the APB, and Kurt Walker, who won Commonwealth silver, are the non-reigning champions.

The competition will also mark Ward’s first as a Sparticus boxer following the closure of Moate BC

No male lightweight or light flyweight will be sent – with both weights reportedly set to be removed next year.

The IABA are also continuing their new policy of ignoring the non-Olympic weights for women (48kg, 54kg, 64kg, 81kg, +81kg) while no middleweight will be sent either.

Last year Ireland sent a five-strong team to the Nicolae Linca last year, bringing home four golds through Ward, Kelly Harrington, Christina Desmond, and Kirill Afanasev.

Nicolae Linca Elite Golden Belt Galati, Romania September 25/30
Irish squad
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan/Virginia)
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown Antrim)
60kg Kelly Harrington (St Mary’s Tallaght)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Gráinne Walsh (Sparticus)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Coaches: Zauri Antia, John Conlan, Tom Murray
Team Manager: Eugene O’Kane
Physio: Séamus Caffrey