THE ELITE INTERNATIONAL between Ireland and France will go ahead after being cancelled last week.
Billy Walsh’s Olympic team were set to face the French in Millstreet, Cork on May 3 but, after gold medallist Katie Taylor withdrew with a fracture to her wrist, the event was suddenly pulled by event organisers Platinum One.
However, at a press conference yesterday, it was announced that the meeting will go ahead – at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork on May 3 and also at Dublin’s National Stadium two days later.
Although Taylor misses out, top class pedigree such as Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, Adam Nolan, Darren O’Neill and Joe Ward are set to compete.
Speaking to Red FM’s Big Red Bench, High Performance coach Billy Walsh criticised the fact the cancellation surfaced on social media sites before he had been informed.
“I was very disappointed (when I heard it had been pulled initially),” Walsh said. “Our lads want to perform in front of big crowds. Three of these guys had won medals at the Olympics Games and done their nation proud. It was probably because of a lack of sales and Katie pulling out wouldn’t have helped the sale of tickets.
Some of the lads were upset and annoyed. They found out on Twitter and Facebook and told me. No one had the dignity to ring and say ‘we’re going to pull the plug’.
“At the end of the day, this is preparation for the European championships. This is a good French team and we’re looking forward to having two contests with them.”
