Wexford boxers are shortlised 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 feel he should have been in Los Angeles four years ago - but O’Sullivan is more doubtful of making the team for South Korea.

Not because of any lack of ability on the part of the big Enniscorthy man - instead, unfortunately, the IOC will probably seek to avoid the heavier divisions again when selecting a team.

It would be a bitter pill for a boxer who was already 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 38 times.

For Billy Walsh, selection on the team would be a fitting reward for one of Ireland’s most consistent boxers of recent years. A favourable draw in Seoul could even put him into medal contention, as he has already shown that he can take on the best, and beat them.