O’Neill gets Ireland of to winning start KO-ing Nolan!!!

Darren O’Neill advanced in Baku, Azerbaijan this yesterday after knocking his fellow London 2012 Olympian Adam Nolan out – of a pool competition.

Irish head coach Billy Walsh reports that the Irish boxing squad are having a pool tournament this afternoon after training and that O’Neill beat “The Guard” – on the black.

The squad finished up a training session today and will have their final training session tomorrow ahead of the opening bell for the boxing event at the inaugural European Games in the Azeri capital.

“Everyone is fit, healthy and well and in great spirits. We had a very good training session today and we will have another session tomorrow before the weigh-in, ” said Billy Walsh.

“The squad were very excited about the Opening Ceremony yesterday. Katie was magnificent leading out Team Ireland and Pat Hickey gave a fantastic speech.

“The squad are having a pool tournament at the moment after training, but from what I’ve seen so far Ronnie O’Sullivan has nothing to worry about!”

Irish boxing squad 1st European Games Baku, Azerbaijan

Female

51kg – flyweight – Ceire Smith (Cavan)

54kg – bantamweight – Michaela Walsh (Holy Family)

60kg – lightweight – Katie Taylor (Bray)

Male

49kg – light-flyweight – Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s Antrim)

52kg – flyweight – Myles Casey (St Francis)

56kg – bantamweight – Kurt Walker (Canal)

60kg – lightweight – Sean McComb (Holy Trinity)

64kg -light-welterweight – Dean Walsh (St Josephs/St Ibars)

69kg – welterweight – Adam Nolan (Bray)

75kg – middleweight – Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)

91kg – heavyweight – Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)

91kg+ – super-heavyweight – Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Team manager: Joe Hennigan

Coaches: Billy Walsh, Zuar Antia, Pete Taylor, Gerry Storey

Physio: Jullianne Ryan

Strength & Conditioning: John Cleary

Sports Psychologist: Gerry Hussey