Irish head coach Zaur Antia has confirmed that Donegal flyweight Donna Barr is out of the Irish squad for the European Elite Women’s Championships which begin in Sofia, Bulgaria next week.
Barr suffered a hand injury in sparring in a training camp at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield last weekend and Ireland will now be using a seven-strong team in the Bulgarian capital.
The panel are back in training at the Irish Institute of Sport in Abbotostown, Dublin this weekend and leave for Sofia on Monday.
“Donna had injury in the third round in Sheffield, right thumb,” said Antia. “She had good sparring session with the number two in the world, but she got the injury and she is out of the Europeans. It is unfortunate.
“She’s is young and very talented boxer and she has a good future. We leave for Sofia on Monday. They squad look forward to the Europeans. They are training hard for this.”
The draw for the 10th edition of the European Women’s Elite Championship, the 10th edition of the tournament and the final AIBA ranking event of 2016, will be held next Tuesday at the Sport Hall in Sofia.
Twenty eight nations have entered.
Irish Squad European Elite Women’s Championships
48kg Lauren Hogan (St.Brigids Edenderry)
54kg Dervla Duffy (Mulhuddart)
57kg Moira McElliggot (St Michael’s Athy)
60kg Shauna O’Keeffe (Clonmel)
64kg Kellie Harrington (Glasnevin)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgans)
Team manager: Noreen Glendening
Physio: Caoimhe Gilmore
Coaches: Zaur Antia, Eddie Bolger, Dmitri Dimitruc
R&J: Sadie Duffy
Strength & Conditioning: John Cleary