Irish Squad Confirmed For Cork, Dublin Clashes With The French

The Irish squad for the May 3rd and May 5th Elite internationals with France at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork and the National Stadium in Dublin has been confirmed.

John Joe Nevin, Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan, who between them have won four medals at the last two Olympics, will wear the Irish bantamweight, light-flyweight and flyweight vests versus Les Bleus.

Current European light-heavyweight and light-welterweight champions Joe Ward and Ray Moylette will also line out in Cork and at the home of Irish boxing.

Ireland has named two middleweights, London 2012 Olympian Darren O’Neill and Jason Quigley, the current European U/23 champion, along with 2012 Olympian Adam Nolan, Sean McComb, Tommy McCarthy and Con Sheehan in the 11-strong panel.

Former Irish Elite champion and Olympian Mick Dowling, who is coordinating the internationals with Platinum One in association with the IABA, reiterated his view that this Irish team is one of the greatest Ireland squads ever assembled, a view shared by Irish head coach Billy Walsh.

He said: “I’m expecting two tough matches and our squad will have to bring their A game to the table in both matches because France will be coming here to win.”

“This is one of the finest Irish boxing teams ever put together and we are looking forward to what should be a tremendous atmosphere in Cork and Dublin for both internationals.”

With the European Championships now just a matter of weeks away, Walsh also has one eye on the 40th edition of the Continental deciders which glove off in Minsk, Belarus on June 1st.

“The French internationals are ideal in that they give us the opportunity to get some competitive action under our belts against a quality side as part of our preparations for the European Championships,” he added.

Tickets for the Rochestown Park Hotel international on May 3rd are priced at €30 for adults and €15 for U/16s. The May 5th international at the National Stadium will be be held in the afternoon.

Doors open at 1pm. Boxing begins at 2pm. Ticket prices: Ringside: €20. Angles: €15. Balcony: €10.

Tickets for the Cork international went on sale yesterday, April 22nd. Tickets can be purchased at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cotters Printers, Rylane Post Office, Dan Donovans and from John Wiseman, Secretary of the Cork County Board.
Tickets for the Dublin international are now on sale at the National Stadium. Phone (01) 454 3525.