Ireland is guaranteed at least ten bronze medals from the 10th European Schoolboy Championships.
Brett McGinty drops to his knees in celebration following today’s win
Another five Irish boxers marched into the semi-finals of the 10th European Schoolboy Championships in Anapa, Russia today to guarantee that Ireland will be taking home an unprecedented ten bronze medals (at least).
Oliver McCarthy, who had Irish fans cheering him on with a chorus of “Ollie,Ollie, Ollie”, John Sweeney, Michael Nevin, Kieran Molloy and Darragh Maloney advanced to the last-four following quarter-final wins
Earlier today, James McGivern, Brett McGinty and James Clarke recorded a hat-trick of quarter-final triumphs.
Nevan Fannon and Francie Stokes booked semi-final berths before today’s program.
Nathan May, despite a gallant performance, lost out in his quest to reach the last-four from one of the opening bouts of the later session.
Ireland’s medal haul from the last ten European Schoolboy Championships has now jumped from 40 to 50 medals in the space of just one tournament.
Irish team manager Paddy Gallagher reports from the early session in Anapa.
James McGivern claimed a bronze medal, at least, with a polished performance against the Ukrainian Champion. The first round was level at 3-3 but McGivern upped the tempo in the second to lead 7-5 and he closed out the contest with a superb final round of 6-1 to take the contest 13-6.
James McGivern has his hand raised in victory today
Brett McGinty kept the Irish flag flying high as he followed up McGiverns performance with a similar superb showing. The Donegal man, boxing out of the Oak Leaf Club in Derry took charge of his contest against a rugged Armenian opponent to lead 4-2 at the end of the first. He landed some big shots in the second when going further in front leading 11-8 going into the last.
James Clarke and Irish coach Brian Barry after today’s win
In the final round, he pulled out all the stops to impose himself on his opponent and win the bout 19-12. The home favourite awaits him in the next round.
James Clarke (Kilnamanagh B.C) was in next for his assault on the gold medal. He took the first round 4-2 and extended the lead to 7-3 by the end of the second. In the final round, James allowed his opponent to get on the inside a little too often and as a result, they shared the round 4-4 leaving the big Irish man the winner on a score line of 11-7. He too will now face a local Russian hero in the semi-final, after the Russian dished out severe punishment to his Belarus opponent, as he ended their contest early. Clarke will have his hands full now as he aims to claim that coveted gold medal. But, he has been talking all week of wanting to get in the ring with a Russian, and now his wish has been granted. Let’s hope the giant Tallaght man can see him off and claim a silver or gold for Ireland!
(Below start times are local. Anapa is three hours ahead of Ireland)
10th European Schoolboy Championships Anapa, Russia
October 2nd (Last 16)
40kg: Francie Stokes (Ireland) beat Stanislav Kunov (Ukraine) 6-3
41.5kg: Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Furkan Pank (Turkey) 8-11
43kg: Aaron McKenna (Ireland) lost to Tugrulhan Erdemir (Turkey) 9-13
46kg: Oliver McCarthy (Ireland) beat Gokhan Karamusaoglu (Turkey) 8-2
54kg: Matthew Davis (Ireland) beat Darband Aliyev (Azerbaijan) 9-6
62kg: Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Alexandru Carnasov (Moldova) 13-3
October 3rd
Q/Final
40kg: Francie Stokes (Ireland) beat Rahim Pashayev (Azerbaijan) 11-7
Last 16
44.5kg: Sean Purcell (Ireland) lost to Umid Rustamov (Azerbiajan) 3-7
48kg:James McGivern (Ireland) beat Ayhan Taghizada (Azerbihjan) 10-5
50kg: John Sweeney (Ireland) beat Ahmad Shtive (Israel) 11-4
56kg: Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Luka Oshvakashvili (Israel) RSC2
59Kg: Brett McGinty (Ireland) beat Michael Katz (Israel) 16-7
68Kg: Brian Kennedy (Ireland) lost to Raman Dren (Belarus) 4-9
52Kg: Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Denis Gashi (Germany) 20-6
54Kg: Matthew Davis (Ireland) lost to Vladislav Batizhevskij (Ukraine) 5-16
62Kg: Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) lost to Van Melkumyan (Armenia) 5-7
October 4th
October 4th Afternoon session 12pm (Quarter Finals)
48KG James McGivern (Ireland) beat Andrej Lovnichij (Ukraine) 13-6
59KG Brett McGinty (Ireland) beat Gurgen Madoyan (Armenia) 19-12
76+KG James Clarke (Ireland) beat Gurgen Hovhannisyan (Armenia) 11-7
Evening session 5pm (Quarter Finals)
38.5kg: Nathan May (Ireland) lost to Nick Bier (Germany) 4-7
46kg: Oliver McCartthy (Ireland) beat Sarkhan Aliev (Azerbaijan) 10-4
50kg: John Sweeney (Ireland) beat Kiryl Padlutski (Belarus) 13-9
52kg: Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Andrea Zupparado (Italy) 11-2
56kg: Kieran Molloy Ireland) beat Evgenij Zagranichnyj Ukraine 15-9
65kg: Darragh Murray (Ireland) beat Artsiom Serada (Bulgaria) 12-4
October 5th S/Finals (4pm)
40kg: Francie Stokes (Ireland) v Albert Rodionov (Russia)
46kg: Oliver McCarthy (Ireland) v Filip Meszarovs (Slovakia)
48kg: James McGivern (Ireland) v Batuhan Aydogan (Turkey)
50kg: John Sweeney (Ireland) v Il’ja Tkachenko (Ukraine)
52kg: Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Nikita Stepanov (Ukraine)
56kg: Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Artur Mamberger (Germany)
59kg: Brett McGinty (Ireland) v Havazh Mutsolgov (Russia)
65kg: Darragh Murray (Ireland) v Maxim Emelyanov (Russia)
72kg: Nevan Fannon (Ireland) v Ruslan Beglaryan (Russia)
76+kg: James Clarke (Ireland) v Yaroslav Antipov (Russia)
Irish squad 2012 European Schoolboy Championships, Anapa, Russia, October 1st – 7th
38.5kg: Nathan May (Crumlin, Dublin)
40kg: Francie Stokes (Oak Leaf, Derry)
41.5kg: Conor Quinn (Clonard, Antrim)
43kg: Aaron McKenna (Smithboro, Monaghan)
44.5kg: Sean Purcell (Marble City, Kilkenny)
46kg: Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillons, Cork)
48kg: James McGivern (St Georges, Antrim)
50kg: John Sweeney (Inisfree, Sligo)
52kg: Michael Nevin (Portlaoise, Laois)
54kg: Matthew Davis (Ardagh/Cross, Mayo)
56kg: Kieran Molloy (Oughterard, Galway)
59kg: Brett McGinty (Oak Leaf, Derry)
62kg: Christopher O’Reilly (Bracken, Dublin)
65kg: Darragh Murray (South Meath, Meath)
68kg: Brian Kennedy (Daingean, Offaly)
76kg: Nevan Fannon (Ballyhaunis, Mayo)
76+kg: James Clarke (Kilnamanagh, Dublin)
Director of Boxing: Dominic O’Rourke
Team Manager: Paddy Gallagher
Team Coaches: Dmitry Dimitrov,Fergal McKenna, Brian Barry
R&J: Philip Rooney
