Recently crowned Irish Elite male and female middleweight champions Gabriel Dossen and Aoife O’Rourke will captain Team Ireland at the European U/22 Championships in Russia.
Irish team manager Stephen Molloy confirmed last night that the Galway and Roscommon pair were named as the Irish male and female skippers at the 34-nation tournament which begins Friday in Vladikavkaz.
O’Rourke, who won silver at the 2018 European U/22s, and Dossen won Irish Elite 75kg belts last month.
“It’s a proud moment for me to captain the Ireland male team. We have a strong squad here and we are quietly confident that we can do well,” said Ivory Coast-born Dossen who has claimed World Youth bronze for Ireland.
The IABA have named a ten strong squad – five males and five females – for Vladikavkaz.
Half of the panel, Dossen, O’Rourke, Adam Hession, Amy Broadhurst and David Oliver Joyce are current Irish Elite titlists.
Dundalk southpaw Broadhurst will be aiming for her second successive European U/22 gold in Russia.
Ireland, courtesy of podium finishes for Broadhurst and O’Rourke, finished in 10th spot in the medals table at the 2018 European U/22s.
European U/22 Championships Vladikavkaz, Russia March 8/17
Irish squad
Female
51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston)
57kg Mary Geraghty (St Anthonys)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan)
64kg Shauna O’Callaghan (Clann Naofa)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea) Cpt
Male
52kg Adam Hession (Monivea)
60kg Davey Oliver Joyce (Ballymun)
64kg Pierce O’Leary (Dublin Docklands)
69kg Patrick Donovan (OLOL)
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Olympic) Cpt
Team Manager: Stephen Molloy
Head Coach: Dmitry Dmitruk
Coaches: Anita Just, Philip Keogh
R&J: Stephen Kelly