Two Wexford boxers shortlisted for Seoul

May 1988

Two Co. Wexford boxers have been shortlisted for the Irish team to travel to the Olympics in Seoul later this year.

Welterweight Billy Walsh (St. Joseph’s, Wexford) and light heavyweight Jim O’Sullivan (St. Patrick’s, Enniscorthy) are among ten boxers nominated by the sport’s governing body, but the list has yet to go to the Irish Olympic Council for final ratification.

Walsh is virtually certain of making the team - many people feel he should have been in Los Angeles four years ago - but O’Sulivan is more doubtful of making the team for South Korean.

And not because of any lack of ability on the part of the big Enniscorthy man - few Irish boxers merit a place on the team more. Unfortunately, the IOC will want to avoid the heavier divisionswhen naming a team, and O’Sullivan is likely to be disappointed again.

It would be a bitter pill for a boxer who has won eight senior All-Ireland titles, three juvenile, one junior, and one under-19 Irish title, ten senior Leinster championships, and who has represented his country 36 times.

O’Sullivan has won an Irish senior title every year he has competed since 1980 - at light middle in 1980, light heavy in 1981, heavy in 82, 84 and 85, and light heavy again in the last three years. He didn’t take part in 1983.

For Walsh though, selection would be a fitting reward for one of Ireland’s most consistent boxers of recent years. He has not only won four senior titles but also a tremendous record when boxing for Ireland.