ADAM NOLAN KNOWS he’ll need to make it four-in-a-row to get back on the funding ladder.
The Enniscorthy boxer received a “world class” grant of €20,000 after qualifying for the London Olympics in 2012 but that money has dried up.
He’ll be eligible for more if he wins an international medal, but in order to guarantee his place at the upcoming multi-nations tournaments, he’ll need a fourth straight welterweight title at the National Championships next month.
“It’s vital that I retain my number one spot and remain number one welterweight,” Nolan said. “There’ll be two or three important multi-nations tournaments in the calendar year.
“But really it starts to become very, very important next year where whoever wins seniors next year will go to the first Olympic qualifier in July or August 2015.
It’s not the be all and end all if things didn’t go my way in the seniors this year but it would still be nice to retain my title all the same.
Nolan ramped up his preparations with a training camp in Sheffield earlier this month, where he was joined by Bray BC clubmate Katie Taylor and coach Pete.
After barnstorming national finals against John Joe Joyce in 2012 and Willie McLaughlin in 2013, he knows he will have to be at his best.
“The one against John Joe Joyce, I went on to qualify for London afterwards. I only beat him 18-16 and if he had beaten me, he could have went on to qualify. It will just show you whoever comes out of the seniors has a very good chance of doing well outside the country in a lot of ways.
“McLaughlin and John Joe Joyce are going to be there again this year chomping at the bit along with a few young lads coming up through the ranks who have nothing to lose.
“You’re looking to perform to your best and give yourself a great chance and if you don’t perform, more than likely you’re not going to win.”
