Darren O’Neill is no stranger to adversity and hardship. For years he was landed with the label of Irish boxing’s bridesmaid.

THE Genesis Olympic Review, commissioned by the Olympic Council of Ireland, yesterday painted a bleak picture of the relationship between some of nation’s top sporting organisations and warned that a change of attitude must be enforced if success at the London 2012 Games is to be achieved.

IRISH boxing officials remain confident that at least one more fighter will secure a spot at this summer’s Olympic Games when they contest the final qualifier for European boxers in Athens next month.

SEAN KELLY claimed yesterday the appointment of Professor Greg Whyte as Director of Sports Science at the Irish Institute of Sport (IIS) had filled the “biggest void in high-class sport in this country".