Portlaoise’s O’Reilly’s Olympics Hopes Remain Alive
Written 1 year ago by Will O'Callaghan
Michael O’Reilly’s hopes of qualifying for the Rio Olympics remain alive.
The Portlaoise boxer has been selected to represent Ireland at middleweight in next week’s last chance qualifying tournament in Baku.
O’Reilly, a world bronze medalist and European Games champion, has been given the nod by the Irish coaching team ahead of Conor Wallace.
He’ll need to finish in the top five in Baku to book his place at the Olympics.
The other selection call made by head-coach Zaur Antia saw Dean Walsh picked for the tournament at 64-kilos ahead of former European champ Ray Moylette.
Walsh will also be aiming to finish inside the top five.
Darren O’Neill will try to qualify at heavyweight and Dean Gardiner at super heavy where there’s only place available for Rio in their weight classes.
Westmeath duo Joe Ward and David Oliver Joyce, Ulster quartet Brendan Irvine, Michael Conlan, Paddy Barnes and Stephen Donnelly and Bray’s Katie Taylor have already booked their spots at the Olympics.
Daingean’s Brian Kennedy is out of the European Youth Championships in Russia.
The Irish light-heavyweight champion lost out with all the judges against Wales’ Sammy Lee in last night’s last-16 bout.
Terry McEntee, Brett McGinty, Oliver McCarthy and Martin John Mongan all advanced to today’s quarter-finals.
Image – Warren Little/Getty Images Europe
