Joe Ward (blue) in action
Team England are due to arrive in Dublin shortly early this afternoon ahead of Friday’s Elite international with Ireland at the National Stadium in Dublin.
Both sides meet over eight-bouts after England’s Sarah Dunne, who was due to meet World Elite silver medallist Kellie Harrington, withdrew because of an illness.
Harrington, who moved up one place to No. 3 in the World 64kg Elite rankings this week, said she was dissapointed the bout was not going ahead but will be at the Stadium tomorrow evening to support Team Ireland.
Steven Donnelly is included in the Irish panel to bring the total of Olympians on the Ireland squad to four – Donnelly, Darren O’Neill, Joe Ward and Brendan Irvine.
England coach Paul Bennett, who brought an English Youth team to Belfast for a training camp with Ireland and Ulster High Performance ahead of the World Youth Championships in Russia in November, said they were looking forward to a very competitive meeting with Ireland.
England beat Scotland in Scotland last weekend, with Louis Lynn, included in the English squad for Dublin where he’ll meet Stephen McKenna, claiming the Best English Boxer Award in Glasgow.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Friday’s international are available on the door at €10 per adult and €5 per child. Pre-pay tickets available through IABA. Contact eimear@iaba.ie or (01) 453 3371. Group specials available for 10 or more people.
Meanwhile, congratulations to the winners of free tickets for the last international of the year versus England.
The winners are: Aimee Walsh,Ann Marie Donoghue,Corey Connelly,Matthew Taylor and Paul Browne
Each of you can bring two friends. To receive your tickets please contact us via Facebook or ring us on 01-4533371
Ireland v England National Stadium Dublin December 16th
Ireland
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Pauls)
56kg Stephen McKenna (Old School)
57kg Moira McElligott (St Michael’s Athy)
60kg George Bates (St Marys)
64kg Sean McComb (Holy Trinity)
75kg Steven Donnelly (All Saints)
81kg Joe Ward (Moate & AIBA Pro Boxing)
91kg Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)
England
52kg Ishmail Khan
56kg Louis Lynn
57kg Raven Chapman
60kg Cory O’Regan
64kg Mason Smith
75kg Lewis Richardson
81kg George Crotty
91kg Chevron Clarke