Calvert is already the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete in Northern Ireland's history, having picked up four gold medals and four bronze since his inaugural Games in Edmonton, Canada in 1978.

Northern Ireland will take a strong boxing contingent to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as they look to build on their success at the 2010 Games in New Delhi, where they topped the medal chart with three gold and two silver medals.

Leading the team will be 2008 and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes as he bids to defend the title he won four years ago in India.

He will be joined by another London 2012 bronze medallist as Michael Conlan, currently ranked second in the International Boxing Association (AIBA) world rankings, guns for his first Commonwealth Games medal.

Paddy Barnes will be looking to defend the title he won four years ago in Delhi after being named to the Northern Ireland Squad for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
©Getty Images



Michaela Walsh and Alanna Murphy will head Northern Ireland's debut in women's boxing as the discipline is introduced into the programme for the first time.

In squash, Madeline Perry, currently ranked eighth in the world, will make her fifth consecutive appearance at the Games having first competed in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

The nation's judo hopes will be pinned on London 2012 Olympian Lisa Kearney, who will be hoping to add to the World Cup gold's she won in 2013.

An experienced five-woman strong bowls team has also been announced by the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council which will see the likes of Barbara Cameron, who first competed in the 1994 Games in Victoria, and Donna McCloy, appearing in her fourth Games, make the trip to Glasgow.

Northern Ireland's Chef de Mission, Robert McVeigh, expressed his "delight" following the squad announcement, adding: "I'm sure that those selected can now focus on their preparation to perform at the Games in July and August."

For a full list of the initial 33-athlete squad announced by the Council click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2014: Northern Ireland announce leadership team for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games