The Irish Elite squad touched down in France this morning ahead of a tournament in Calais.
Two-time AIBA World medalist John Joe Nevin and Irish head coach Billy Walsh
A nine-man Irish Elite squad arrived in France this morning for a Round Robin tournament with the host nation, Germany, Morocco and Sweden.
The tournament begins in Calais tomorrow.
Irish 2012 Olympians Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, John Joe Nevin, Adam Nolan and Darren O’Neill are included in the Irish squad.
Joe Ward, the current European light-heavyweight champion, has also been named in the Irish panel, along with David Oliver Joyce, Ross Hickey and Steven Ward.
The Round Robin will be the Olympic squad’s final competitive tournament before London 2012.
“We’re going to France to have a look at where we’re at at this point and the tournament will be both a test and a guide for us heading toward the Olympic Games, ” said Irish head coach Billy Walsh.
Katie Taylor has also qualified for the 30th Olympiad but is not taking part in the Calais Round Robin.
Taylor won her fourth AIBA World Women’s title in-a-row in China last month.
Eight boxers, including Taylor, qualified for the London Olympics in the lightweight class in China.
The other four places (invitation places) to make up Taylor’s 12-strong lightweight Division will be distributed by the Tripartite Commission this month.
The Tripartite Commission are also due to announce their invitation places for male boxers for London 2012.
Irish squad Round Robin Calais France June 7/10th
49kg Paddy Barnes (Holy Family)
52kg Michael Conlan (St John Bosco)
56kg John Joe Nevin (Cavan)
60kg David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)
64kg Ross Hickey (Grangecon)
69kg Adam Nolan (Bray)
75kg Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)
81kg Joe Ward (Moate)
91kg Steven Ward (Monkstown)
Team manager: Des Donnelly
Coaches: Billy Walsh, Zuar Antia, Jimmy Halpin
R&J: Paul McMahon
Physio: Scott Murphy
