Athy boxer carrying hopes of Co Kildare in Rio Olympics

Athy boxer David Oliver Joyce will represent Co Kildare as he parades in the Olympic opening ceremony in Rio today.

The member of St Michael's Boxing Club will join other Irish athletes for the magnificent spectacle in the Maracana Stadium.

Joyce missed out on qualifying for the London Games four years ago on a technicality and his desperate disappointment made him consider quitting the sport.

In April, an emotional Joyce dedicated his win in an Olympic qualifier to his late granny who 'wanted to see me live my dreams'.

Joyce (29) won his box-off at the European Olympic qualifiers in Turkey after defeating home favourite Volkan Gokcek in Turkey.

The ecstatic fighter, who was bleeding from an eye injury, fell to his knees and covered his face with his hands when he was declared the winner. — Athy boxer David Oliver Joyce will represent Co Kildare as he parades in the Olympic opening ceremony in Rio today. The member of St Michael's Boxing Club will join other Irish athletes for the magnificent spectacle in the Maracana Stadium. Joyce missed out on qualifying for the London Games four years ago on a technicality and his desperate disappointment made him consider quitting the sport. In April, an emotional Joyce dedicated his win in an Olympic qualifier to his late granny who 'wanted to see me live my dreams'. Joyce (29) won his box-off at the European Olympic qualifiers in Turkey after defeating home favourite Volkan Gokcek in Turkey. The ecstatic fighter, who was bleeding from an eye injury, fell to his knees and covered his face with his hands when he was declared the winner.

He said afterwards: "I want to dedicate this fight to my late granny who passed away less than a year ago.

"She wanted to see me live my dreams as a kid and I just want to say I did it for her."

He added: "I want to thank my dad who took me out of bed when I was a small kid to make me train and make me the boxer I am today."

Four years ago at the World championships in Baku, Joyce was within eight seconds of qualifying for the London Games in 2012 only for disaster to strike. He was harshly penalised for what the referee perceived to be a foul; the point he was docked meant that his Indian opponent won the bout by a point.

Had it finished level Joyce would have won it on countback and boxed in the Olympics.

He contemplated retiring from boxing but was enticed back into the sport by colleagues.

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