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Illies boxer in Irish squad
30.10.08
William aiming to make
his mark at the Echo Arena in Liverpool
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
ILLIES Golden Gloves boxer William McLaughlin has
been named in the Irish Amateur Boxing Association’s
nine-man squad for next months European Senior
Championships in Liverpool.
The 22 year old Irish International, who was named
in the squad following a gruelling training camp in
Dublin last week, was in line for a place after
winning a box off with Fergal Redmond at the
National Stadium at the start of the month.
Current senior champion John Joe Joyce - who reached
the last 16 at the Beijing Olympics has also been
named in the panel along with McLaughlin’s fellow
Ulsterman Eamon O'Kane. |
The squad travel to
Sheffield today (Tuesday) for a training camp with
hosts England, France and Sweden before heading to
Liverpool for the start of the tournament on
November 5. The Championships run from the 6th to
the 15th of November.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent prior to
setting off for Sheffield, the middleweight said
that, while it didn’t make up for missing out on
Beijing, the European Seniors was ‘a massive
contest.’ |
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“I’ve fought in
international competitions in Poland and a few weeks
ago in Austria and am getting more experience all
the time, but this is my first time at the European
Championships,” said William, who is targeting at
least one win in Liverpool.
The size of the task facing McLaughlin is underlined
by the fact that Ireland have won just five gold at
European Senior Championships level since 1939.
“Realistically, I wouldn’t be expected to get a
medal, because the competition will be very tough. I
will be sparring with [Olympic bronze medallist]
Billy Joe Saunders at the training camp in
Sheffield.”
William said that a good showing in Liverpool would
improve his chances of getting a Sports Council
grant, but added that the latest news regarding
funding for Ireland’s elite amateur boxers was not
encouraging.
The full Irish squad is: 51Kg:(Flyweight) Conor
Ahern (Baldoyle) 54Kg: (Bantamweight) Ryan Lindberg
(Immaculata) 57Kg: (Featherweight) David Oliver
Joyce (St Michael's Athy) 60Kg: (Lightweight) Ross
Hickey (Grangecon) 64Kg: (Light welterweight) John
Joe Joyce (St Michael's Athy) 69Kg: (Welterweight)
William McLaughlin (Illies GG) 75Kg: (Middleweight)
Eamon O'Kane (Immaculata) 81Kg: (Light heavyweight)
Darren O'Neill (Paulstown) 91Kg: (Heavyweight) Con
Sheehan (Clonmel). |
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