EDDIE Bolger has always been fastidious when it comes to preparation - tactical analysis, searching for tells, little clues that might tip the balance that vital few per cent towards victory.
It was what made him a valued member of the Irish coaching set-up until 2017, when he took his talents to Germany as an exciting new challenge - an exciting new life - unfolded. Slowly but surely, they too are seeing the fruits of his labour.
Taking his talented light-welter Stefanie von Borge into battle on Friday, Bolger won’t need to delve too deeply into the video footage to scout her opponent.
Grainne Walsh has been part of the Irish High Performance set-up for most of the past decade. At times in the past three years, it looked as though injury might put paid to promising career that peaked with a bronze medal at the 2019 European Games.
The Offaly women has had four operations on her right thumb, coming with the worrying warning that one punch could spell the end, leading to just three fights in three years. Last year, despite toppling Amy Broadhurst in the Irish elite final, she was overlooked for the European Olympic qualifier squad.
Others would have wilted, but resilience has proven to be the 28-year-old’s strong suit.
And, although von Borge is reigning European champion, Bolger is well aware what awaits them when the bell sounds.
“I know Grainne well - I sent her a text maybe two weeks ago just to say ‘fair play, you’ve hung in there, you’ve battled your way back’,” said the Wexford man.
“Grainne’s talented, maybe this is her weight more than 69 kilo. I won’t be taking Grainne Walsh for granted, she’s a universal boxer, she can box close range, long range...
“It’ll be strange, thankfully I haven’t come up against Irish boxers too often since I came out here. The boys have been giving me a bit of stick over it, but that’s the name of the game.”
Von Borge, though, is coming off the back of an impressive victory over already-qualified Welsh woman Rosie Eccles, and has Paris firmly in her sights.
“I’m very confident in our girl,” said Bolger.
“There’s always an added fear for me because I know what goes on in Abbotstown, I know how they work, how they train. Tactically they’re very smart guys, a great bunch of coaches there, but I’m very confident if we get the plan right we can do it.”
