AmateurHeadline News

Ireland add another Olympian to side to face England in Dublin on Friday

Newry middleweight Conor Wallace has been forced to pull out of Friday’s Elite international with England at the National Stadium.

The Irish Elite finalist picked up a hand injury in training and will therefore miss out on his clash with Lewis Richardson

A frustrated Wallace explained that “unfortunately, I cannot fight in Ireland vs England International on Friday night in the National Stadium due to a hand injury I sustained in sparring, absolutely gutted.”

“It is another setback, but my preparation still must continue to get in the best possible shape I can for the Elite Championships (February 2017).”

A replacement has been sourced for the St Monica’s middle, and with initial choice John Joyce also being forced to withdraw, Rio Olympian Steven Donnelly will step up in weight for the night in his first competitive fight since the Olympics.

In what were a disappointing, medal-less Games for Ireland, Donnelly shone brightest, winning two fights.

The temporary move up in weight poses no issue for the Ballymena welter, who described how “l’ll fill in no problem. I was down training in Dublin last week and I felt good enough so I’ll take the fight no problem at middle.”

“The fight will shake off the cobwebs and do me no harm. I’m looking forward to it.”

Donnelly joins fellow Olympians Joe Ward, Darren O’Neill, and Brendan Irvine on the high-quality nine-fighter team

Doors @ 6:30pm

Tickets available on the door at €10 per adult and €5 per child. Pre-pay tickets available through IABA. Contact eimear@iaba.ie or (01) 453 3371. Group specials available for 10 or more people.

Ireland
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Pauls)
56kg Stevie McKenna (Old School)
57kg Moira McElligott (St Michael’s Athy)
60kg Kellie Harrington (Glasnevin)
60kg George Bates (St Marys)
64kg Sean McComb (Holy Trinity)
75kg Steven Donnelly (All Saints)
81kg Joe Ward (Moate)
91kg Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)

England
52kg Ishmail Khan
56kg Louis Lynn
57kg Raven Chapman
60kg Sarah Dunne
60kg Cory O’Regan
64kg Mason Smith
75kg Lewis Richardson
81kg George Crotty
91kg Chevron Clarke

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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