Penalised boxers all set to rejoin national squad

THE three national champions dropped from the High Performance Squad after failing to turn up for the first training session after Christmas will rejoin the squad in the middle of the month, but won’t be going to the European Championships - the first of the Olympic Qualifiers.

Heavyweight champion, Alan Reynolds from Sligo, and the two Immaculata boxers, featherweight champion Martin Lindsey and super heavyweight champion, Martin Rogan, met with the High Performance Director, Gary Keegan, on Friday and the issue was resolved.

But the President of the IABA, Dominic O’Rourke, said yesterday they would not be going to the European Championships but would be in line for selection for the other Olympic qualifiers in March.

Their disqualification from the squad on disciplinary grounds was not discussed at Saturday’s Central Council meeting but all three were named on the Irish team to box Scotland later in the month.

“It was not a matter for discussion at a Central Council meeting. It was a disciplinary matter,” Mr O’Rourke pointed out. “We discussed it with the six Vice Presidents who represent the four Provinces and Dublin and Antrim county boards and they understood and accepted the situation.”

Saturday’s Central meeting decided to resurrect the Duggan Shield which will be boxed between the four provinces. Ulster will met Munster and Leinster will meet Connacht with the winners to contest the final. As intermediate boxers are involved, it will not start until start until after the completion of the National Intermediate Championships.

They get under way next Friday and Saturday and, at the moment, there is a record entry of 164 with up to 20 boxers in some weights and entries will not close until next Thursday.

The team to box Scotland is: Light Fly, Ross Hickey (Grangecon); Featherweight, Martin Lindsey (Immaculata); Lightweight, Noel Monteith (Dockers); Light Welter, Roy Sheahan (St. Michael’s, Athy); Welterweight, James Moore (Arklow); Middleweight, Patrick Murray (St. Matthews); Light Heavyweight, Marvin Lee (Garda/Oughterard); Heavyweight, Alan Reynolds (St. Joseph’s, Sligo); Super Heavyweight, Martin Rogan (Immaculata).

The Scots cannot provide opponents at lightweight or bantamweight will bring in Cadettes to complete the programme.