Boxing: Irish captain Brett has World Youth Games in his sights at Euro Youth Championships

A Derry boxer is competing at European Youth Championships with a place in the World Youth Games firmly in his sights. Oakleaf’s Brett McGinty (17), pictured, flew out to Anapa in Russia on Wednesday as captain of an Ireland team that will compete against the cream of Europe’s young boxing talent. Eugene O’Kane, secretary of the Rathmor-based club, said he was delighted for the talented young welterweight. He said: “It’s a big honour for Brett, and it couldn’t happen to a niceer person. “He captained the Commonwealth Games team out in Samoa last September, and the speech he gave to the six boxers competing in finals was apparently very emotional and inspirational. “I think the powers that be can see he has real leadership qualities, and it’s great that he’s so well thought of.” A medal at the ten-day tournament in Russia, which starts today, would put McGinty in serious contention for a place at the World Youth Games in St Petersburg in November, something that O’Kane believes is well within the young boxer’s grasp. “Put it like this, it’ll take a seriously good boxer to beat him. “If Brett makes it to the Worlds, he’ll be the second Oakleaf boxer to represent the club at that level after Ryan Green competed four years ago. “The club is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, and to have another one of our boxers going to the Worlds at the end of the year would be the icing on the cake.”