Irish Amateur Team Heads Out To Bulgarian Tourney

Ireland's talented young boxers are scheduled to fly out to Bulgaria this morning (June 22) ahead of the opening bell for the eagerly anticipated 2012 EUBC European Junior Championships.

The Continental deciders glove off at the Festivalna Hall in Sofia on Saturday, June 23rd.

Ireland have named a 13-strong squad for the tournament.

Two members of Irish panel, Luke Thomas and John Joyce, are no strangers to finishing in podium positions in European competition.

Joyce's impressive CV contains European Schoolboy Championships gold and bronze medals - and one boxer of the tournament award - while Thomas claimed bronze at the 2011 European Junior Championships in Hungary.

The Irish team recorded two confidence boosting wins over England and Scotland in Cork over the last two months and Irish coach Billy McClean says they will be traveling to Sofia full of optimism.

McClean added that they intend to take a leaf of out big Jack Charlton's book in Sofia.

"We're going to give it a lash as Jack Charlton might say. Our lads have trained hard for this and they are very well prepared, he said.

"We have a talented young team and we're traveling to Bulgaria full of hope and optimism. A lot will depend on the draw, and we will take it one step at a time from there."

"It will be tough and very competitive in Sofia for our team as the best in Europe will be there. The team are looking forward to the competition.

"They're looking forward to getting in the ring and getting the tournament underway."