EUROPEAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Middleweights Kane Tucker and Lauren Kelly, pictured with Irish coaches and management, have been named Irish captains for the European Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships which begin in Italy next week.

The 15-strong Irish squad are on the last lap of their training camp at the St Bridgid’s BC in Ofally for a tournament which will act as a qualifier for the World Youth and Olympic Youth Championships.

Peter O’Donnell and Fionna Hennigan are Irish team managers .

“Our final leg of the training camp will be this Thursday to Saturday,” said head coach Billy McClean. “The team have worked extremely hard over the last number of weekends and are very much looking forward to the competition.

“It will be a very tough as it is a qualifier or the World Championships and Olympic Youths. They’ll have to go very deep into the competition to qualify. We have a strong and talented team and they will be endeavouring to perform to their very best in Italy.”

Olympic champion Michael Carruth, Michael Mongan and Anita Just will also be working Ireland’s corner on the banks of the Adriatic Sea.

Team Ireland leave for Italy next Tuesday.

(Pictures courtesy of Barry Tucker)