David Oliver Joyce's Olympic qualification was one of the highlights of the AIBA European Olympic Qualifiers in Turkey earlier this month.
The Westmeath fighter is the longest serving boxer in the IABA's High Performance Unit. He also missed out on the chance to fight in Beijing and London after missing out on qualification.
One man who was delighted to see Joyce realise his dream was Billy Walsh. The former head of the High Performance Unit was keeping an eye on Joyce's progress from his new American base.
Ireland coach Billy Walsh with David Oliver Joyce in 2012. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
According to The Sun, Walsh told Seconds Out that he was brought to tears when seeing Joyce had booked his seat on the plane to Rio de Janeiro in August.
"Last Sunday morning I was in my bed, we have a rest day on a Sunday morning, and I put on my phone and saw Davey Oliver qualify for his place and it brought me to tears. I absolutely cried because I know what this kid has been through. I’ve been with him since he was 15."
“To see him reap his rewards last week — beating a Turk in Turkey by the way — was no mean feat. So I was absolutely thrilled and honoured to have some small part to play in it."
Ireland's boxing team currently stands at six, with more fighters, including Olympic champion Katie Taylor expected to make the team.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
