Boxing:European champion Paddy Barnes has been ruled out of the European Championships in Ankara, Turkey because of a hand injury.
The Holy Family Belfast light-flyweight had been due to travel to the Turkish capital today as part of a ten-strong Irish squad.
However, Irish head coach Billy Walsh has confirmed that following an MRI scan on his left hand at the Ulster Clinic in Belfast yesterday that the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and 2010 Commonwealth champion is out.
The scan showed that Barnes, the current European 49Kg champion, has suffered ligament damage and bruising on the bones in his left hand.
His withdrawal from the Irish squad means that the European light-flyweight title is now vacant.
"Paddy was eagerly looking forward to defending his title in Turkey but the injury has prevented him from doing that,” said Walsh.
"It's a big blow to the Irish squad as we have lost a European champion to injury. The important thing now is that Paddy gets back to full fitness for the World Championships and Olympic qualifiers in Baku next September and October."
The Irish squad departed for Turkey this morning. The draw for the 2011 European Championships will be held next Thursday.