Boxing:With the Irish Senior Championships scheduled to begin on January 20th, some weeks earlier than usual because of the Olympic year, Irish boxers now have a clear view of what they must do to qualify for London 2012. Three Irish boxers, Darren O'Neill (75kg), John Joe Nevin (56kg) and Michael Conlan (52kg) have already qualified for the Olympic tournament from the World Championships last year.
But other top names, notably 2008 Olympic bronze and silver medallists, flyweight Paddy Barnes and light heavyweight Kenny Egan have yet to book their tickets.
Egan, who turned 30 last week, is expected to meet European champion Joe Ward in the seeded light heavyweight Irish Championships.
Regardless of who wins the Irish titles, the IABA is likely to organise box-offs in some weight categories for a place in the Olympic Qualification tournament scheduled for Istanbul in April. Once the boxers qualify for Istanbul the road ahead is very clear.
In the light flyweight division there are five positions remaining for European boxers. That gives Barnes a strong chance of making it to London next year. A quarter-final place would even book a place in London, if the losing fighter is beaten by the tournament winner in that division. One of four semi-final places for Barnes would secure his place.
In Egan and Ward’s light heavyweight division there are three European places remaining. But just one Irish boxer will travel to the qualifiers. That means a final place in Ankara would secure a place in London, while a semi-final may be enough, again if the losing semi-finalist is beaten by the tournament winner.
In the light welterweight, 64 kg division, where Ray Moylette won gold in last year’s European Championships in Ankara, there is just one European place remaining. The 91kg heavyweight division, where Egan briefly spent time before thinking better of it and reverting back to 81kg, also has just one place on offer. It’s winner takes all there.
A final place in Istanbul – the top two fighters - is required in the 69kg and Con Sheehan’s 91+kg division making those also difficult to come through. In the 60kg division, where David Oliver Joyce competes, there are a healthy four European places on offer in Turkey making that the next most lucrative weight outside Barnes’ light flyweight.
Remaining Olympic places for Europe:49kg (5 places); 52kg (Michael Conlan qualified); 56kg (John Joe Nevin qualified); 60kg (4 places); 64kg (1 place); 69kg (2 places); 75kg (Darren O'Neill qualified); 81kg (3 places); 91kg (1 place); 91+kg (2 places)