TEAM IRELAND IN SAMSUN FOR QUALIFIERS

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The entire Irish squad are in Samsun, Turkey ahead of Saturday’s preliminary round bouts at the European Olympic qualifiers.

Thirty nine nations, represented by 233 men and 59 women, have entered the tournament which yields 36 Olympics places – 30 for men and six for women – for Rio 2016.

The general weigh-in will be held tomorrow morning followed by the draw. The daily schedule has yet to be released.

A team delegation meeting is scheduled for later today.

“The team are in great spirts and looking forward to getting the tournament underway,” said Irish team manager Joe Hennigan.

Samsun brings the curtain down on the continental phase of the qualification process for Rio 2016 following the completion of the Americas, Africa and Asia/Oceania events last month and earlier this month.

Three qualifiers remain after Samsun.

Irish squad

Female

51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)

60kg Katie Taylor (Bray)

75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgans)

Male

52kg Brendan Irvine (St Pauls)

60kg David Oliver Joyce (AIBA Pro Boxing)

64kg Dean Walsh (St Joesphs/St Ibars)

75kg Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)

91kg Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)

91+kg Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Team manager: Joe Hennigan
Coaches: Zaur Antia, Eddie Bolger, John Conlan
Physiotherapist: Julianne Ryan
Sports Psychologist: Gerry Hussey
Doctor: Jim Clover
Performance Analyst: Alan Swanton