Portlaoise BC head coach Pat Ryan believes that the Michael O'Reilly versus Robert Carthy clash at Friday's National Youth Championships semi-finals could be one of the bouts of the weekend at the National Stadium.

 

Eighteen-year-old O'Reilly, aiming for his 7th Irish title, meets the Ryston ace in an eagerly anticipated welterweight last-four duel with the winner advancing to face either Christy Joyce or Conor Doherty in Saturday's 69Kg final.

 

The Ryson BC will be well represented in Friday's semi-finals, with Hugh Myres, Carty and  Chris Mullaly all just two bouts away from finishing on top of the podium at the home of Irish boxing.

 

The Immaculata and Holy Trinity clubs  in Belfast, meanwhile, have Joe Fitzpatrick, Barry O'Hara, Eamon Magee, Conor Doherty, Donal McNally and Damien O'Sullivan through to the last four at IABA headquarters.

 

AIBA World Youth bronze medalist Katie Rowland meets Michaela Jannick in the 51Kg decider in one of four female semi-finals.

 

Limerick's Myles Casey will fly the flag for the Treaty City versus Joe Fitzpatrick and the Rebel County will be represented by Cork's John Peter Keenan, who meets Toome ABC stand out Enda Kennedy.

 

Keenan boxes out of the Loughmahon BC on Leeside, and club coach Gary O'Sullivan, who claimed the 12th win of his pro career at The O2 Arena in London last weekend, says his confidence is high.

 

"He boxed incredibly well last Friday and his confidence will be high going into the semi-finals. The whole club will be behind him next weekend," said O'Sullivan.

 

Meanwhile, the  2011 National Youth Championships have a double significance this season as the winners will put themselves right in the frame for selection for the Irish squad for the 2011 European Youth Championships in Dublin in August.

 

However, the Portlaosie BC, which will also have multiple Irish champs Michael Nevin and Bernie O'Reilly, a brother of Michael's, between the ropes at IABA headquarters, are focusing on the immediate future.

 

"I have no doubt that Robert Carty will provide Michael with a stiff competition on Friday, said Pat Ryan. "Robert is obviously a talented young boxer and he's boxing out of one of the most progressive clubs in the country.

 

"Michael is moving along nicely and he has sustained his level of performances since the juveniles. He has a strong pedigree and we are very happy with his progress.. We were going to enter him in the National Elite Championships this year but we decided not because it is important that his physical development matches his chronological age.

 

"The Youth Championships are a lovely transition to the Elite Championships as it moves our boxers through tough competition before they step up. It's a fantastic pathway and a real test heading toward Open Class Senior, that's our main goal at the Portlaoise Boxing club.

 

"We'll also have Michael Nevin and Bernie O'Reilly in action on Friday. They both have 14 Irish titles between them and are two very talented young boxers. It promises to be a very busy weekend for the club."