Nevin believes Irish boxers are set for a good weekend

Beijing-bound John Joe Nevin believes that the Irish junior squad have the talent to do a Round Robin double at the National Stadium in Dublin this weekend.

Thu, 03 Jul, 2008 - 14:45

Beijing-bound John Joe Nevin believes that the Irish junior squad have the talent to do a Round Robin double at the National Stadium in Dublin this weekend.

Ireland meet France, Germany and Italy at the home of Irish boxing over three days beginning on Friday just a few months after seeing off the challenge of England, Germany and France in a Junior Round Robin meeting at the Jackson's Hotel in Ballybofey, Donegal.

Irish 2008 Olympian, Nevin, from the Cavan Boxing Club, chalked up a hat-trick of wins, beating English, German and French opponents to help Ireland emerge victorious in Ballybofey last December.

Ray Moylett and Declan Geraghty, who have been named in this weekend's squad, were also part of the Irish panel that defeated England 6-1, Germany 5-3 and France 4-3 just before Christmas.

Nevin said: "We had a good win last time out but it is always very competitive as the French and the German juniors sides are always very strong.

"Irish boxers always raise their game at the National Stadium and I would be confident that they will do well. My cousin David Nevin is on the Irish team and I would like to wish him and the Irish squad the best of luck this weekend."

High performance coach Jim Moore said that they were looking forward to three days quality boxing at headquarters.

He said: "This is a very prestigious tournament which is held in very high esteem throughout Europe and we are facing three tough internationals over the three days.

"We will have a very talented young Irish squad competing in Dublin against some of the best underage boxers in Europe and I have no doubt that we will seeing a lot more of these boxers on the international scene over the next few years."

Reigning Ulster light heavyweight champion Tommy McCarthy, from the Oliver Plunkett club in Belfast, has withdrawn from the tournament after picking up a chest infection.

Junior Round Robin National Stadium Dublin

For full draw log onto www.iaba.ie (2008 fixtures section)

June 4: France v Italy (2pm) Ireland v Germany (7pm)

June 5: France v Germany (3pm) Ireland v Italy (7pm)

June 6: Germany v Italy (10am) Ireland v France (2.20pm)

Irish squad

48Kg: Gary Molloy (Moate) David Nevin (Cavan) Declan Geraghty (St David's)

51Kg: Ruairi Dalton (St John's Antrim)

54Kg: Tyrone McCullagh Illies GG) Bernard McDonagh (St Paul's)

57Kg: John O'Neill (St David's) Tyrone McKenna (Oliver Plunkett)

60Kg: Martin McDonagh (St Anne's) Ray Moylett (St Anne's)

64Kg: Jamie Kavanagh (Crumlin)