Irish head coach Billy Walsh and Paddy Barnes

The tournament was due to begin today (Apr 14) in the north-eastern Turkish city but now won’t glove off until Sunday (Apr 15) because of the inclement weather.

Forty four nations and 211 boxers have registered to compete in Trabzon, but as of yesterday 18 teams, 79 boxers and 16 referees and judges still hadn’t arrived.

Mr Tommy Murphy, the President of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, who is in Trabzon, confirmed last night that they had been notified about the delay.

Ireland will be using a seven-man squad in Turkey. Twenty six Olympic places are available for Europe at the qualifiers.

Irish squad

49kg: Paddy Barnes (Holy Family GG)

60kg: David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)

64kg: Ross Hickey (Grangecon)

69kg: Adam Nolan (Bray)

81kg: Joe Ward (Moate)

91kg: Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett)

91+kg: Con Sheehan (Clonmell)