TEAM IRELAND HEAD TO BLACK SEA

Team Ireland and staff at Dublin Airport today

Team Ireland and staff at Dublin Airport today

Team Ireland jetted out from Dublin Airport this afternoon ahead of the Nikolay Pavlyukov Youth multi-nations in Anapa, Russia.

Known as the mini-World Championships, the tournament begins in the Black Sea holiday resort of Anapa on March 11th.

Ireland’s eight-strong squad will train with Russia, Cuba, Azerbaijan and Australia and a number of other nations in the lead up to the opening bell for the multi-nations, which Irish coach Billy McClean believes will attract over thirty countries.

He said: “The boys will train with Russia, Cuba, Azerbaijan and Australia, all the top nations. The training camp and the tournament, which is one of the most prestigious in the world at this level, will be an invaluable experience for our young and talented squad.”

Michael Nevin, a European Schoolboy, Junior and Youth champion, won silver at the 2015 edition of Nikolay Pavlyukov Youth multi-nations, while Willie Donoghue won gold and Stephen McKenna claimed bronze.

Irish squad

52kg Shane Flavin (Paulstown)
56kg Aaron McKenna (Old School)
56kg James McGivern (St Georges)
60kg Paddy Donovan (OLOL)
64kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)
69kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
75kg Kevin Keogh (Marble City)
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys D)

Team manager: Gerry O’Mahony
Coaches: Billy McClean & Fergal McKenna
Physio Orla O’Rourke
R&J: Larry Durand