JOHN CONLAN believes that Team Ireland’s youth boxers – including Donegal ace Brett McGinty – will bring Irish boxing ‘up from the ashes’ of Rio.
The nine-strong Irish team, including St Johnston native McGinty, who is the captain, are in St Petersburg for the World Youth Championships, which begin on Thursday.
Oakleaf ABC man McGinty will compete in the welterweight division and Conlan has high hopes.
“I’m always confident because I look at the selection of the guys and I think we have a very, very strong team,” Conlan told Donegal Sport Hub.
[adrotate group=”38″]“I’m very happy with the team. We have had a great training camp and the boys have gelled well together. I’m happy with where we are. The Test Matches have been very good, very exciting.
“Brett is a fantastic trainer and he has a great attitude. He implements his training very well.
“I was with Brett at the Commonwealth Youth Games. He’s an outstanding young man who gives everything. He’s got vast experience. I’m delighted with his performances.”
[adrotate group=”76″]McGinty is a former European Schoolboys bronze medal winner who won silver at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa last year.
Hopes are high that the eight-time Irish champion can get a place on the podium in Russia, where Conlan says the Irish punchers can restore some of the broken confidence from Rio.
Ireland’s boxers returned without a medal from Brazil, though the Games were shrouded in controversy with Michael Conlan – John’s son – the victim of awful judging in a bantamweight quarter-final against Russian Vladimir Nikitin.
[adrotate group=”53″]Conlan has since turned professional and is currently in training alongside Jason Quigley in California.
John Conlan will be in Ireland’s corner in Russia, alongside Billy McClean.
Conlan said: “We look after everything to the best standards, from sparring to nutrition, everything.
“We have the boys in the best condition for this tournament and I’m confident that Irish boxing will come back up from the ashes of the Olympic Games.”
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