So are you against boxers from Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Down and Derry boxing in a major international competition (The Commonwealth Games) for a Northern Irish team? I'm sure Barnes, Conlan etc. identify themselves as being Irish not Northern Irish, and that they are merely taking advantage of the location on this island that they were born in to compete in a major international competition. Not trying to wind anyone up, just wondering why the iaba aren't taking advantage of the, unfortunate, political situation in Ireland for the potential benefit of Irish boxing
in the case of the commonwealth games theres no other choice... so why not... but ur talking about spliting the national team... r u from the sandy row club because thats there agenda.. a unionist agenda to separate the irish people even further.... if u were 2 give conlan, barnes or mccarthy the choice to fite 4 a 32 county ireland or a 6 county n. ireland i can confidentally bet they would pick a 32 county team every time:good
No, I am in no way affiliated with the ridiculous Sandy Row Boxing Club :rofl I amn't suggesting a definite break away or the creation of a separate, independent association that wears sashs and orange tracksuits As I said, I'm not looking to wind anyone up. Just after seeing the amount of lads Britain are sending to Minsk I wondered why Ireland aren't doing the same thing. What I was suggesting was a Northern Ireland team/association that would still be under/a part of the IABA (and, therefore, an accompanying association for the 26 counties, NIABA and ABAI or something like that). Over in England there is the ABAE (England), WABA (Wales) and ABS (Scotland). These 3 are basically sub-associations under the control of British Amateur Boxing Association. These fight separately in the Worlds and Euros (in many cases tripling Britain's chances of medaling in some weights). This is especially unfair in Olympic qualifying as more British boxers get a chance of making it to the Olympics. Realistically the fairest thing to do would be to make GB fight as one team in the Worlds and Euros (I don't know of any other country that is essentially allowed enter 3 boxers in each weight class). But, as this wont happen, shouldn't Ireland use this loophole to their advantage like Britain already has? Obviously I accept that identity/flags/anthem could be an issue for some. But surely (considering McCullough, Frampton etc had no problem boxing for a 32 county association) it wouldn't be that big a deal? we've come a long way. Politics should stay out of sport, I know it's impossible but placing less importance on it within a sporting context is the only way Bear in mind though, I still think that the 32 county association is great and it's brilliant that we compete like this in the Olympics. Just thought that it would benefit Irish boxing if we were to take advantage of the unique situation on this island, like the BABA has done over in Britain. By the way, great work on this thread lads, long-time lurker here :good
I heard AIBA want there to be only one British team at championships soon anyway, so that probably wouldn't be an option. Even if it was possible, I think it'd be a bad idea, boxing is an all-Ireland sport and we shouldn't do anything to undermine that.
Ward dislocated his kneecap which isn't too serious, so at least it's not career threatening and he should be back in action soon.
Ya it's cancelled, apparently a few of the fighters on the bill pulled out and then the whole thing got scrapped.
Barnes and McCarthy both win, Quigley on now. According to Egan rte are there so those in ireland might have some footage later.
Big day tomorrow, Nevin and Conlon will win, Barnes too I think. McCarthy is up against it but Quigley can win, a big fight for him, win and he's on his way to, maybe gold. Time for JJN to take his right-full place as our best ever Am, Ward would probably have won gold too-ah well... Quigley and Conlon (Selby?) could go it too and of course Paddy.