(JULY 3) Beijing bound John Joe Nevin believes that the Irish junior squad
have the talent to do a Round Robin double at the National Stadium in Dublin
this weekend.
Ireland meet France, Germany and Italy at the home of Irish boxing over
three days beginning on Friday just a few months after seeing off the
challenge of England, Germany and France in a Junior Round Robin meeting at
the Jackson's Hotel in Ballybofey, Donegal.
Irish 2008 Olympian, Nevin, from the Cavan Boxing Club, chalked up a hat
trick of wins, beating English, German and French opponents to help Ireland
emerge victorious in Ballybofey last December.
Ray Moylett and Declan Geraghty, who have been named in this weekends squad,
were also part of the Irish panel that defeated England 6-1, Germany 5-3 and
France 4-3 just before Christmas.
Nevin said: "We had a good win last time out but it is always very
competitive as the French and the German juniors sides are always very
strong.
"Irish boxers always raise their game at the National Stadium and I would be
confident that they will do well. My cousin David Nevin is on the Irish team
and I would like to wish him and the Irish squad the best of luck this
weekend."
High Performance coach Jim Moore said that they were looking forward to
three days quality boxing at headquarters.
He said: "This is a very prestigious tournament which is held in very high
esteem throughout Europe and we are facing three tough internationals over
the three days.
"We will have a very talented young Irish squad competing in Dublin against
some of the best underage boxers in Europe and I have no doubt that we will
seeing a lot more of these boxers on the international scene over the next
few years."
Reigning Ulster light heavyweight champion Tommy McCarthy, from the Oliver
Plunkett club in Belfast, has withdrawn
from the tournament after picking up a chest infection.
Junior Round Robin National Stadium Dublin
For full draw log onto www.iaba.ie (2008 fixtures section)
June 4th: France v Italy (2pm) Ireland v Germany (7pm)
June 5th: France v Germany (3pm) Ireland v Italy (7pm)
June 6th: Germany v Italy (10am) Ireland v France (2.20pm)
Irish squad
48Kg: Gary Molloy (Moate) David Nevin (Cavan) Declan Geraghty (St David's)
51Kg: Ruairi Dalton (St Johns Antrim)
54Kg: Tyrone McCullagh Illies GG) Bernard McDonagh (St Paul's)
57Kg: John O'Neill (St David's) Tyrone McKenna (Oliver Plunkett)
60Kg: Martin McDonagh (St Anne's) Ray Moylett (St Anne's)
64Kg: Jamie Kavanagh (Crumlin)
69Kg: David Joe Joyce (St Michael's Athy)
75Kg: David Barrett (Rylane)
81Kg: Stephen Ward (Monkstown)
91Kg: Luke Cadden (Cavan)
91+Kg Sean Turner (Drimnagh) Darren Cruise (Annagh/Ballyhaunis)
