TWO twins from Yate are heading to Ireland this weekend to compete in the Celtic Box Cup.

Jake and Ben Demmery, both 18, will join fellow talented South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College students Jacob Croot, Toby Hacker and Tom Williams in Dungarvan

Boxers, coaches, officials and supporters from nine countries will be in the County Waterford town for the three-day international boxing tournament, which commences on Friday.

It is Ireland’s biggest boxing tournament, where the winners come away with a much coveted Celtic Box Cup medal.

The town has a long boxing tradition – it was the home of Peter Crotty, the 1952 Olympian and four-time national champion.

Craig Turner, head of boxing at SGS said: “This is a tournament which boxers don’t want to miss. It’s a venue, where many boxers made their name and kick started their international careers.

"The guys are no strangers to international competition having boxed at an International tournament at Alexandra Palace in June. Toby and Jacob were on an England talent ID camp in Sheffield recently which, was great preparation, and I feel sure we can bring gold back to SGS.”

Dungarvan Sports Centre is no stranger to big boxing events. It has hosted many international teams, the most recent been, the Russian national team for a two-week training camp earlier in the year. The Dungarvan venue has also hosted internationals with China, France and England.

Croot said: “I am really excited. I did well at the International Haringey Box Cup in the summer winning silver, and feel sure I can go one better this time.”