TWO Irish lightweights have scooped the  best Irish Amateur of 2006, and the best Irish Amateur Prospect of 2006 awards on the influential  website, Irish-boxing.com.

World and back-to-back European champ Katie Taylor (St Fergal's)  finished on top after attracting 67% of the on line voting in the Best Irish Amateur of 2006 category.

And John Joe Joyce (St Michael's Athy) edged out light middleweight Stephen O'Reilly from the Twinstown club in Donegal to take the best Irish Amateur Prospect award.

Joyce will be in action this Friday night at the Stadium in Dublin when he meets Karl Crawley (Glasnevin) in one of nine National Senior Championships semi finals.

And Taylor will renew acquaintances with Finland's Eva Walstrom in a repeat of the 2005 European Championships final (which Taylor won) at the same venue on finals night for the Senior Championships on February 2nd next.

Over 700 votes were cast in both polls which concluded last Sunday night. Log unto Irish-boxing.com for complete results.