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Brendan Irvine buzzing to be back in the ring after injury nightmare

 Brendan Irvine made his return to the ring last month, and steps up that comeback at the Chemistry Cup, which gets under way in Cologne, Germany next Tuesday. Picture by PA
Brendan Irvine made his return to the ring last month, and steps up that comeback at the Chemistry Cup, which gets under way in Cologne, Germany next Tuesday. Picture by PA Brendan Irvine made his return to the ring last month, and steps up that comeback at the Chemistry Cup, which gets under way in Cologne, Germany next Tuesday. Picture by PA

AMID the fleet of Lamborghinis, Ferraris and McLarens inside Manhattan’s Classic Car Club, Brendan Irvine made his long-awaited return to the ring following a 10-month exodus.

It was an unusual venue for a boxing show to kick off the St Patrick’s weekend celebrations in New York, but Irvine didn’t care.

Having waited patiently for his wrist to recover from the surgery he underwent last August, the Rio Olympian would have been more than happy to fight anywhere, against anyone.

As it happened New York native Geraldo Vazquez was in the opposite corner as Irvine swept to a straightforward win, blowing the cobwebs off as he traded leather for the first time since an exhibition in Castlebar back in May 2018.

He admits there were some nerves as he stepped back between the ropes, wary of how his wrist would react. Thankfully though, it came through the first test.

“I was excited more than anything to get back into the ring and test the water, get back into the flow of things,” said ‘Wee Rooster’, whose Irish international team-mate Kurt Walker also returned with a win after suffering a broken thumb en route to EU Championship glory last November.

“There was that wee bit of nerves as well because I’ve been out for so long. I only started back punching in February, I hadn’t sparred at all, but it felt good to get a couple of rounds in and be back in that atmosphere again.

“John [Conlan] didn’t want us to do a whole lot, so it was step by step – paddles, pads and then on to a light bag, then a hard bag, then a harder bag…

“I wasn’t really worrying about my hand too much because I had it well wrapped. I was just trying to go in and perform as best as I could without it flaring up… I was trying to keep everything straight without throwing mad shots.

“It was okay – there was one shot during the fight I felt, but it was no problem really. I just iced it up after and there’s been no problem since.

“The reality is I’m going to get a wee bit of discomfort sometimes; I just have to manage it and be smart with it. I’m hoping gradually, with time, it’ll just go back to how it was.”

It marked the end of a hugely frustrating period for Irvine who, despite being only 21 years old, already has a wealth of international experience in the bank.

He has also bagged three Irish elite titles along the way but was unable to defend his crown at the National Stadium this time around, with up-and-comer Adam Hession topping the pile at 52kg.

“It was hard to watch the seniors because I wanted to be in there to get my title back, simple as that, but what can I do? It was out of my control. I did everything I possibly could to get myself right but things went slower than we’d hoped.”

After getting his own New York fight night out of the way, Irvine joined the rest of the Ulster select at Sunday night’s Madison Square Garden bill, which was headlined by Michael Conlan and also featured Paddy Barnes.

Considering both were Ireland team-mates less than three years ago, Irvine admits it gives him and other young fighters inspiration that they can reach the same lofty heights in years to come.

“It was top class - I was gutted for Paddy, really gutted.

“Who knows, after the next Olympics, maybe in the future I could be on that bill. It was like an Irish invasion in New York last weekend…the whole atmosphere when Mick was walking out, the buzz around the place, everything was green. We were loving it.

“Mick’s from the Falls Road. With hard work you can do anything, and he’s proved it.”

Despite only landing back on Irish soil the Tuesday after St Patrick’s weekend, Irvine was back down at the High Performance unit in Abbotstown the following morning as he is part of an 11-strong Irish team bound for the Chemistry Cup next month.

They left for a 10-day training camp at the German Olympic Centre in Kienbaum tomorrow last Wednesday and, with the likes of Cuba and Russia sending teams to Cologne, Irvine believes it will provide perfect preparation as he sets his long-term sights on the European Games in June.

“It’ll be tough but it’ll be good to get back in with the best,” he added.

“It’s very soon for me but I’ll go out and use it as a test. I’ve had one spar really, so if I can go out here and hopefully bring back a medal it’ll hopefully stand me in good stead for the European Games.”

Irvine is part of a strong Ulster contingent getting ready to showcase their skills in Cologne, as the team also includes Walker, Holy Family’s Carly McNaul, Monkstown’s Michaela Walsh and James McGivern (St George’s), while John Conlan and Damian Kennedy are part of the coaching team.

Three-time European champion Joe Ward is set to make his return to action too after an elbow injury forced him to miss the Irish Elites.

IRISH TEAM

Chemistry Cup (April 9-14)

51kg: C McNaul (Holy Family)

57kg: M Walsh (Monkstown)

69kg: C Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)

69kg: G Walsh (Spartacus)

52kg: B Irvine (St Paul’s)

57kg: K Walker (Canal)

63kg: J McGivern (St George’s)

63kg: W Kelly (Portlaoise)

69kg: K Molloy (Oughterard)

75kg: E Brennan (Glasnevin)

81kg: J Ward (Spartacus)

91kg: T Browne (St Michael’s)

91kg+: D Gardiner (Clonmel)

Team manager: Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zaur Antia, John Conlan, Damian Kennedy

Physiotherapist: Muireann Harte

Physiologist: Damian Martin

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IRISH CADET TITLE JOY FOR EAGLESON AND McCULLOUGH

TWO superb performances guaranteed Irish title success for Ulster duo Dylan Eagleson and Martin McCullough at the National Stadium last Friday.

Eagleson – pictured above with St Paul’s coaches Robbie Barr, Francis McNally and Ralph McKay - took the 46kg crown at the open senior cadet championships, convincingly defeating Tramore’s Toby Ogogua, putting the cap on an impressive month when the Bangor teenager turned in some stylish performances.

The same goes for Gleann’s McCullough, who came on strong in the second and third round to see off Ballymun’s Cain Lewis. He is pictured with coaches James Nolan and Dee Walsh. Rathfriland’s Donagh Keary took the 52kg title on a walkover.

IABA president Dominic O’Rourke congratulated all the finalists and competitors, saying: “Over the last number of weekends we’ve seen some fantastic competition from our top young prospects at the National Stadium. The boxers, coaches and clubs and all concerned deserved enormous credit for their contribution to a fantastic sporting occasion”.