Athy boxer pays tribute to late granny for clinching Olympic 'dream'

Jubilant Athy boxer David Oliver 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 on Sunday after defeating home favourite Volkan Gokcek in Turkey.

The clearly emotional 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."

He also thanked his local coach Dominic O'Rourke at St Michael's boxing club in Athy.

Joyce, who lost his semi-final bout to Welsh man Joe Cordina, needed to win his box-off to achieve a spot in the Irish team that will go to Rio.

Joyce just about edged the first round, though his Turkish opponent was awarded the second round by the judges.

That left the 29-year-old requiring the judges vote in the third, and following a convincing three minutes he got just that.

Joyce won on a split decision, meaning he will join Katie Taylor and Brendan Irvine in Rio after both of those fighters were successful in their respective box-offs over the weekend.