Irish Squad Trounces French Team In Cork Clanging

Ireland recorded a shut out 10-0 victory over France in Friday night’s Elite international at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, John Joe Nevin, who won silver and two bronze medals at the London Olympics, Sean McComb, David Oliver Joyce, Adam Nolan, Jason Quigley, Joe Ward, Jimmy Sweeney and Con Sheehan had their hands raised in triumph on Leeside.

Barnes got Ireland off to a winning start with a second round stoppage of Dylan Beccu, who took a count right on the bell for the end of the second after being wobbled by a big right.

“Straight right got him. Every time, the right hand”, said Barnes, who was 6-2 up after the first.

London 2012 silver medalist John Joe Nevin and current European champion Joe Ward are out of Sunday’s Elite international with France after picking up hand injuries in Friday night’s 10-0 victory over the French at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

Describing the injuries as slight, Irish head coach Billy Walsh said that there was no point taking any further risks with the European Championships now just a matter of weeks away.
Walsh also confirmed that London 2012 bronze medalist Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan will move up weights for Sunday’s second leg.
Barnes moves up from light-fly to flyweight to meet Samuel Kistohurry and Conlan moves up from flyweight to bantamweight to face Elias Friha. France’s Dylan Beccu, who Barnes stopped in the second round in Cork last evening, is also out injured.
Reflecting on last night’s result, Walsh said he was happy where his squad are at ahead of the European Championships, which begin in Minsk, Belarus on June 1st.
“I thought that 8-2 to Ireland would have been a fairer result last night to tell the truth. Overall, I was happy with the performances of the team in Cork”, he said.
Sunday’s second leg will now be decided over eight bouts. Boxing begins at 2pm at the National Stadium. Tickets are available on the door.

The final bell tolled on the Girls 1 to 6 National 2013 Championships at Dublin’s National Stadium on Saturday.

Current European Junior champion Amy Broadhurst added to her impressive CV with a thrilling win over Ciara Ginty in today’s Girl (5) 57kg final at the home of Irish boxing.

The Dundalk southpaw earned a 16-12 decision over the talented Geesala BC prospect from a cracking featherweight contest.

Over 300 female boxers registered to compete at the Championships.