Joyce primed for Carlyle showdown

JOHN JOE JOYCE (St. Michael’s, Athy) faces a showdown with reigning light welterweight champion Aodh Carlyle at the National Stadium tomorrow with a place on the Irish team for the EU boxing championships the prize.

Carlyle reclaimed a national senior title early this year but his position as the No 1 light welterweight came under threat from the Joyce dynasty once John Joe, the reigning lightweight champion, stepped up a division.

That move immediately opened up a new opportunity for Joyce’s St. Michael’s ABC clubmate, Eric Donovan, to stake his claim to a place in the Irish team.