Posted online: Aug 22nd, 2008

By Dermot Keys
dermot@letterkennypost.com

With the Irish boxing team leading the charge for Olympics medals, it’s worth remembering that a Donegal training camp formed a vital part of their preparations back in January.
The week-long training camp took place in the Twin Towns Boxing Club in January when Paddy Barnes was the only boxer to have qualified. Five of the team subsequently went on to qualify for the games and the camp was part of the process that helped secure a minimum of a bronze medal for both Paddy Barnes and Kenneth Egan.
“This Olympics is going to be remembered for the boxing,” said Eunan Devenney, a coach at the Twin Towns Boxing Club.
“It’s unbelievable. Egan could go all the way and win a gold medal. Paddy Barnes could find it hard. But if anyone can beat the world champion, it will be Paddy Barnes.”
He also confirmed plans to secure the club as a training camp for future championships.
“It’s good for 2012. Those boys will be back in Donegal training next time around as well. It’s guaranteed.”
The team underwent an intensive week of training when they visited Donegal. The trainers alternated the training and combined sparring, gym work and circuit training. In scenes reminiscent of Rocky IV, the team even ran up the hills of Barnes!
Brian Anderson of the Twin Towns Boxing Club said the club could lay claim to playing a part in the team’s success, with boxers and coaches at the club joining in the training and sparring.
“It’s the first time that they have come out of Dublin and they came to Ballybofey. Donegal is the only place that can say ‘We helped in their training.’ The wee boys in the club can look at the pictures of them here and see that it was our club. It just shows that we’re doing something right.”
With Darren Sutherland still capable of taking a medal and a gold still a possibility, the club and county can celebrate their role in the team’s success.