Irish Squad Confirmed for EU Championships
AN eight-strong squad has been confirmed for the European Union Elite Men’s Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The 23-nation tournament officially begins on Thursday. Boxing commences on Friday at the Sports Hall venue in the Bulgarian capital.
131 boxers representing 23 nations have registered to compete, according to the final entry list.
Click here for invitation letter and schedule.
London 2012 Olympian Darren O’Neill – a gold medallist at the last European Union Championships in 2009 – has moved up to light-heavyweight for Sofia in place of Joe Ward who picked up a slight hand injury in training.
Ireland claimed nine medals at the 2009 European Union Championships in Odense, Denmark, topped the medals table and walked off with the Best Team Award.
David Oliver Joyce, who is included in the panel for Sofia, also won gold in Odense. The St Michael’s Athy man and O’Neill will be aiming for their second successive European Union gold medals in Bulgaria.
Click here for 2009 results.
The Irish squad departs for Bulgaria on Thursday.
Irish squad 2014 European Union Championships
49kg Hughie Myers (Ryston)
60kg David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)
64kg Dean Walsh (St Joesphs/St Ibars)
69kg John Joe Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)
75kg Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)
81kg Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)
91kg Gary Sweeney (Olympic)
91+kg Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)
Team manager: Paddy Osbourne
Coaches: Billy Walsh, Zuar Antia, Eddie Bolger
R&J: Sadie Duffy
Physio: Jullianne Ryan
