Sport

Drogheda to host US team

The town of Drogheda will be hosts to the American boxing team in March

By PAT ROCHE
Mon Jan 18 1999 - 00:00

The town of Drogheda will be hosts to the American boxing team in March. It will be an historic occasion for the Co Louth town when they stage the second of two international matches against a formidable US squad. The main international against a team of newly crowned Irish champions from the March 12th national finals takes place in the National stadium on March 26th and two days later the same Irish team , barring injuries, will contest the second match in Drogheda.

At Saturday's meeting of the Central Council (IABA) it was hoped that a row involving a young Ulster coach from the Star Club in Belfast will be resolved with the sending of a letter to Michael Corr who had been corrected for allegedly dangerous pad work at a national squad session. Corr had stormed out of the session. It is to be pointed out to Corr, who is in charge of some of the IABA's best prospects that there was no intention to cause him embarrassment at the time of the incident.

It was also conceded that it had been a mistake to send former eight times bantam champion Mick Dowling a solicitors letter. This relates to an on-going situation in which the associations official medal dye had not been returned.

A strong team of Irish champions to compete at the Norway Box Cup multi-nations event in Oslo on January 27th-30th was confirmed.

READ MORE

There was criticism of a response, regarding funding, by Irish sports council chairman John Tracey. The "Civil Service procedures," adapted by the ISC in dealing with the boxers needs, caused particular regret among the delegates and not least association president Brendain O'Conaire. The team for Oslo is: Feather - Brendan Dunne (CIE); Light - Eugene McEneany (Dealgan); Light welter - Mark Wickham (St Patrick's ); Welter - Neil Gough (St Paul's Waterford ); Light middle -Frank O'Brien (Ballyduff); Light heavy - Sean Collier (Wexford); Heavy - John Kiely (Corpus Christi).

Ringside seats for the National Senior Championship finals will cost £20.00, a hike of £5 last year's price. Other prices are £12 and £7, with £2 for children. The National Youths' Championships are refixed for April 16th, 17th and 18th at the National Stadium.