Kildare boxer Joyce set to be Ireland's first Olympian in action as boxing draw is revealed

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.

placeholder image — 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 was one of four Irish boxers who failed to receive a bye into the second round of their respective Olympic boxing draws, meaning he will begin his quest for Olympic glory on Saturday.

The Kildare fighter has been drawn against Seychelles boxer Andrique Allisop in the opening round of the welterweight divison. Allisop competed at the London Olympics in 2012 but was comprehensively beaten by an Indian fighter in the round of 32. He is one of just 10 Olympic athletes from the tiny African nation and will go in as the underdog against Joyce.

He will be the first Irish Olympian in action this weekend as his bout is likely to take place on Saturday morning.

Katie Taylor, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, Michael O'Reilly all received byes to the second rounds in their divisions, while Joe Ward, Stephen Donnelly, and Brendan Irvine will all face first round bouts like Joyce.