FOUR GOLD MEDALS GUARANTEED AT EUROPEANS (UPDATED)
On fire Yasmin Meredith, Kaci Crowley, Winnie McDonagh and Michael Faulkner sensationally delivered four goal medals for Ireland at the European Schoolboy/girl Championships in Albena, Bulgaria today after four stunning wins over Russia.
Meredith forced Arina Vostrikova into a standing count with a big right in the third to secure bantam gold an Crowley obliged Sofia Pelevina to take a count off a sweeping left, also in the third, to bag feather gold. Vostrikova also received a public warning for holding in the first round. She was verbally cautioned a number of times by the ref prior to the sanction.
McDonagh, boxing out of her proverbial skin, followed that up with a top-drawer performance in the light-welter class, the Irish champion consistently finding the target against Alina Safina en route to the top of the 63kg podium.
Dearbhla Tinnelly and Nasya McJin-Igelige, both of the Clann Naofa BC, had to settle for silver after losing to Bulgaria and Russia. Tinnelly can consider herself particularly unlucky as she out-punched Kraisimara Voykova 2 to 1 – sometimes 3 to 1 – in all three rounds but the 3-2 split went to the home athlete.
Nasya McJin-Igelige put in a massive shift and had a great second frame against Valeria Vorontosova. McJin-Igelige battled her opponent down to the final bell and finished the bout as she had started, on the front foot, but the Russian welter got the verdict.
Faulkner, the last Irish boxer in action in the 1st session, nailed a fourth gold versus Linar Valiullin. The Rebel County southpaw just couldn’t miss with his snappy backhand against the Russian champion, and his right also earned its keep in three classy rounds from the fleet-footed Leesider who ensured that Amhrán na bhFiann got its fourth rendition of the afternoon by the banks of the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, Patrick Donovan lost out to England’s Barney Smith-Ryston, the 2017 European 43kg Schoolboy champion, in a tight battle of the southpaws at 50kg. Donovan will be bringing home silver to cap a fine tournament.
Curtis Darcy and Bekkham Alimkhanov were involved in a toe-to-toe classic in the 76kg final, both men battling each other down to the final bell before the Russian got the nod on a 3-2 split. Massive edge-of-the-seat performance from Darcy.
Irish boxing secured four gold, four silver and six bronze in Albena, a record haul for Ireland at this level. The squad are due to arrive home at 10am tomorrow morning (Terminal 1) via Dublin Airport.
Irish amateur boxing is proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane.
European Schoolboy & Schoolgirl Championships Albena, Bulgaria May 21/30
Tuesday, May 29th
Finals
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Linar Valiullin (Russia) 5-0
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) lost to Barney Smith-Ryston (England) 0-5
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Ireland) beat Arina Vostrikova (Russia) 5-0
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) beat Sofia Pelevina (Russia) 5-0
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Ireland) beat Alina Safina (Russia) 5-0
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Ireland) lost to Kraisimara Voykova (Bulgaria) 2-3
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Ireland) lost to Valeria Vorontosova (Russia) 0-5
76kg Curtis Darcy (Ireland) lost to Bekkham Alimkhanov (Russia) 2-3
May 28th
S/Finals
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Laslo Balogh (Hungary) 5-0
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) beat Alfredo Simone (Italy) 5-0
54kg John Fay (Ireland) lost to Matthew Knipe (England) 0-5
72kg Tyler Meade (Ireland) lost to Daniil Kolotov (Russia) 0-5
76kg Curtis Darcy (Ireland) beat Yehor Tkachenko (Ukraine) 5-0
May 26th
Q/Finals
38.5kg Martin Collins (Ireland) lost to Anton Avdienko (Russia) 0-5
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Olek Levchenko (Ukraine) 5-0
41.5kg William Faulkner (Ireland) lost to Bogdan Priima (Russia) 2-3
43kg Jason Nevin (Ireland) lost to Shane Patterson (England) 2-3
46kg Cale Brennan (Ireland) lost Indir Vracic (Serbia) 1-4
S/Finals
36kg Katie O’Keeffe (Ireland) lost to Renata Mingalimova (Russia) 0-5
42kg Nora Jackman (Ireland) lost to Daria Kostkinia (Russia) 0-5
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ireland) lost to Alena Tremasova (Russia) 0-5
48kg Robyn Murran (Ireland) lost to Charan Dhesi (England) 0-5
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Ireland) beat Maria Mica (Romania) RSC2
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) beat Rosalia Cataldo (Italy) RSC2
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Ireland) beat Sunniva Hofstad (Norway) 3-2
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Ireland) beat Alena Krinichnaia (Russia) 5-0
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Ireland) beat Karine Araptican (Ukraine) 5-0
May 25th
Q/Finals
48kg Michael Connors (Ireland) lost to Caider Abduraimov (Ukraine) 0-5
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) beat Dzhem Demirev (Bulgaria) 5-0
54kg John Fay (Ireland) beat Mikita Harbuz (Belarus) 5-0
62kg Ryan Murphy (Ireland) lost to Mykola Serov (Ukraine) 0-5
65kg Joe Hutchinson (Ireland) lost to Irakli Janelidze (Georgia) 0-5
72kg Tyler Meade (Ireland) beat Milon Tibic (Serbia) 5-0
76kg Curtis Darcy Ireland) beat Malyas Nagyos (Romania) 4-1
80kg Patrick McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Oleg Ilchenko (Ukraine) 0-5
May 24th
Last 16
38.5kg Martin Collins (Ireland) beat Anton Salika (Belarus) 3-2
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Gocha Gordulava (Georgia) 5-0
44.5kg Conor Donovan (Ireland) lost to Dominik Mucska (Hungary) 2-3
68kg Feidhlim Behan (Ireland) lost to Tymofii Krupko (Ukraine) 1-4
Q/Finals
39kg Sophie Elstone (Ireland) lost to Polina Spirna (Russia) RSC2
42kg Nora Jackman (Ireland) beat Viktoria Danielova (Slovakia) 5-0
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ireland) beat Lyuba Atanasova (Bulgaria) RSC2
48kg Robyn Murran (Ireland) beat Izabella Devenyi (Hungary) 3-2
51kg Labhaoise Glynn (Ireland) lost to Francesca Falconeri (Italy) 0-5
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Ireland) beat Sophia Mazzoni (Italy) RSCI2
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) beat Lucia Simulescu (Romania) 5-0
May 23rd
Last 16
41.5kg William Faulkner (Ireland) beat Georgis Georgantzas (Greece) 5-0
43kg Jason Nevin (Ireland) beat Serghei Nova (Moldova) 5-0
46kg Cale Brennan (Ireland) beat Denys Rosdolskyi (Ukraine) 4-1
52kg Brannon McMahon (Ireland) lost to Volodymyr Kamaieve (Ukraine) 0-5
54kg John Fay (Ireland) beat Dovydas Paskevicius (Lithuania) 5-0
56kg James McGuinness (Ireland) lost to Iskren Mihaylov (Bulgaria) 1-4
59kg Thomas McAleer (Ireland) lost to Savelii Suprunets (Ukraine) 0-5
Q/Final
91kg Martin McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Kyrylo Novika (Ukraine) 0-5
May 22nd
Last 16
60kg Laura Moran (Ireland) lost to Abby Briggs (England) 2-3
48kg Michael Connors (Ireland) beat Nedas Grigorianas (Lithuania) 3-2
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) beat Krisztian Balagh (Hungary) 4-0
Irish squad
Boys
38.5kg Martin Collins (Drimnagh)
40kg Michael Faulkner (Northside) (Gold)
41.5kg William Faulkner (Rathkeale)
43kg Jason Nevin (Olympic Mullingar)
44.5kg Conor Donovan (Clonmel)
46kg Cale Brennan (St Michaels Athy) Cpt
48kg Michael Connors (St Marys Dublin)
50kg James Donovan (O.L.O.L.) (Silver)
52kg Brannon McMahon (Carrickmore)
54kg John Fay (Swords) (Bronze)
56kg James McGuinness (St Monicas)
59kg Thomas McAleer (Swords)
62kg Ryan Murphy (Neilstown)
65kg Joe Hutchinson (Neilstown)
68kg Feidhlim Behan (Kilcullen)
72kg Tyler Meade (Kilnamanagh) (Bronze)
76kg Curtis Darcy (Callan) (Silver)
80kg Patrick McDonagh (St Josephs)
Girls
36kg Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk) (Bronze)
39kg Sophia Elstone (Ardnaree)
42kg Nora Jackman (Paulstown) (Bronze)
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ballynacargy) Cpt (Bronze)
48kg Robyn Murran (St Brigids Kildare) (Bronze)
51kg Labhaoise Glynn (Cloghan)
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Glasnevin) (Gold)
57kg Kaci Crowley (Erne) (Gold)
60kg Laura Moran (St Annes)
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Neilstown) (Gold)
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Clann Naofa) (Silver)
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Clann Naofa) (Silver)
IABA President: Dominic O’Rourke
Team Managers: Martin Fennessey and Jennifer O’Sullivan
Coaches: Liam Brereton, Jim O’Neill, Eva Carr, John Gallagher, Tom Hayes
R&J: Brian Wallace
WORLD YOUTHS CONFIRMED FOR HUNGARY
Budapest, capital of Hungary, will host the 2018 World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has confirmed.
The tournament, which will act as a qualifier for the Olympic Youths in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October, runs from August 20 to 31.
244 men and 174 women are registered to compete.
Previous Irish gold medals winners at this level include “Sugar” Ray Moylette in Mexico in 2008 and Joe Ward in Azerbaijan in 2010.
Ward and Moylette, pictured above, combined to claim double European Elite gold in 2011.
Cork’s Christina Desmond reached the World Youth welter final in Bulgaria in 2013 and was unlucky to lose on a split decision.
Eamonn Loughran, Eamon Magee, Andy Lee, Ryan Burnett and Jamie Kavanagh also secured silver at this level.
On the previous occasion that the World Youths was hosted in Budapest, Coleman Barrett won bronze 18 years ago.
Ireland at World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships
1987 Cuba
64kg Eamonn Loughran Silver
71kg Denis Galvin Bronze
1989 Puerto Rico
64kg Eamon Magee Silver
1992 Canada
64kg Neil Sinclair Bronze
2000 Hungary
91kg Colman Barrett Bronze
2002 Cuba
71kg Andy Lee Silver
2008 Mexico
60kg Ray Moylette Gold
64kg Jamie Kavanagh Silver
69kg David Joe Joyce Bronze
81kg Tommy McCarthy Bronze
2010 Azerbaijan
75kg Joe Ward Gold
48kg Ryan Burnett Silver
2011 Turkey
48kg Katie Rowland Bronze
57kg Michaela Walsh Bronze
2012 Armenia
52kg Kurt Walker Bronze
2013 Bulgaria
69kg Christina Desmond Silver
2015 China
54kg Natasha Logan Bronze
2016 Russia
64kg Gabriel Dossen Bronze
75kg Michael Nevin Bronze
2017 India
48kg Caitlin Fryers Bronze
64kg Katelyn Phelan Bronze
EUROPEAN SCHOOLBOY/GIRL FINALS
Ireland weighed-in this morning ahead of this afternoon’s European Schoolboy and Schoolgirl finals in Albena, Bulgaria.
Irish boxing is represented in 8 of the 32 gold medal deciders – a 25% return.
Team Ireland also has the highest representation of western Europea at the business end of the inaugural joint male and female competition at this level.
Tuesday’s finals will be decided over two sessions beginning at 12pm and 4pm (Irish times).
Click here for live stream and here for program.
The squad are scheduled to arrive home tomorrow morning, May 30, at 10am via Dublin Airport (Terminal 1).
The team return with 14 medals, the final colour of which will be decided today.
Irish amateur boxing is proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane.
European Schoolboy & Schoolgirl Championships Albena, Bulgaria May 21/30
Tuesday, May 29th
Finals
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) v Anton Avdienko (Russia)
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) v Barney Smith-Ryston (England)
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Ireland) v Arina Vostrikova (Russia)
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) v Sofia Pelevina (Russia)
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Ireland) v Alina Safina (Russia)
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Ireland) v Kraisimara Voykova (Bulgaria)
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Ireland) v Valeria Vorontosova (Russia)
76kg Curtis Darcy (Ireland) v Bekkham Alimkhanov (Russia)
May 28th
S/Finals
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Laslo Balogh (Hungary) 5-0
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) beat Alfredo Simone (Italy) 5-0
54kg John Fay (Ireland) lost to Matthew Knipe (England) 0-5
72kg Tyler Meade (Ireland) lost to Daniil Kolotov (Russia) 0-5
76kg Curtis Darcy (Ireland) beat Yehor Tkachenko (Ukraine) 5-0
May 26th
Q/Finals
38.5kg Martin Collins (Ireland) lost to Anton Avdienko (Russia) 0-5
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Olek Levchenko (Ukraine) 5-0
41.5kg William Faulkner (Ireland) lost to Bogdan Priima (Russia) 2-3
43kg Jason Nevin (Ireland) lost to Shane Patterson (England) 2-3
46kg Cale Brennan (Ireland) lost Indir Vracic (Serbia) 1-4
S/Finals
36kg Katie O’Keeffe (Ireland) lost to Renata Mingalimova (Russia) 0-5
42kg Nora Jackman (Ireland) lost to Daria Kostkinia (Russia) 0-5
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ireland) lost to Alena Tremasova (Russia) 0-5
48kg Robyn Murran (Ireland) lost to Charan Dhesi (England) 0-5
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Ireland) beat Maria Mica (Romania) RSC2
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) beat Rosalia Cataldo (Italy) RSC2
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Ireland) beat Sunniva Hofstad (Norway) 3-2
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Ireland) beat Alena Krinichnaia (Russia) 5-0
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Ireland) beat Karine Araptican (Ukraine) 5-0
May 25th
Q/Finals
48kg Michael Connors (Ireland) lost to Caider Abduraimov (Ukraine) 0-5
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) beat Dzhem Demirev (Bulgaria) 5-0
54kg John Fay (Ireland) beat Mikita Harbuz (Belarus) 5-0
62kg Ryan Murphy (Ireland) lost to Mykola Serov (Ukraine) 0-5
65kg Joe Hutchinson (Ireland) lost to Irakli Janelidze (Georgia) 0-5
72kg Tyler Meade (Ireland) beat Milon Tibic (Serbia) 5-0
76kg Curtis Darcy Ireland) beat Malyas Nagyos (Romania) 4-1
80kg Patrick McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Oleg Ilchenko (Ukraine) 0-5
May 24th
Last 16
38.5kg Martin Collins (Ireland) beat Anton Salika (Belarus) 3-2
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Gocha Gordulava (Georgia) 5-0
44.5kg Conor Donovan (Ireland) lost to Dominik Mucska (Hungary) 2-3
68kg Feidhlim Behan (Ireland) lost to Tymofii Krupko (Ukraine) 1-4
Q/Finals
39kg Sophie Elstone (Ireland) lost to Polina Spirna (Russia) RSC2
42kg Nora Jackman (Ireland) beat Viktoria Danielova (Slovakia) 5-0
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ireland) beat Lyuba Atanasova (Bulgaria) RSC2
48kg Robyn Murran (Ireland) beat Izabella Devenyi (Hungary) 3-2
51kg Labhaoise Glynn (Ireland) lost to Francesca Falconeri (Italy) 0-5
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Ireland) beat Sophia Mazzoni (Italy) RSCI2
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) beat Lucia Simulescu (Romania) 5-0
May 23rd
Last 16
41.5kg William Faulkner (Ireland) beat Georgis Georgantzas (Greece) 5-0
43kg Jason Nevin (Ireland) beat Serghei Nova (Moldova) 5-0
46kg Cale Brennan (Ireland) beat Denys Rosdolskyi (Ukraine) 4-1
52kg Brannon McMahon (Ireland) lost to Volodymyr Kamaieve (Ukraine) 0-5
54kg John Fay (Ireland) beat Dovydas Paskevicius (Lithuania) 5-0
56kg James McGuinness (Ireland) lost to Iskren Mihaylov (Bulgaria) 1-4
59kg Thomas McAleer (Ireland) lost to Savelii Suprunets (Ukraine) 0-5
Q/Final
91kg Martin McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Kyrylo Novika (Ukraine) 0-5
May 22nd
Last 16
60kg Laura Moran (Ireland) lost to Abby Briggs (England) 2-3
48kg Michael Connors (Ireland) beat Nedas Grigorianas (Lithuania) 3-2
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) beat Krisztian Balagh (Hungary) 4-0
Irish squad
Boys
38.5kg Martin Collins (Drimnagh)
40kg Michael Faulkner (Northside) (Silver, at least)
41.5kg William Faulkner (Rathkeale)
43kg Jason Nevin (Olympic Mullingar)
44.5kg Conor Donovan (Clonmel)
46kg Cale Brennan (St Michaels Athy) Cpt
48kg Michael Connors (St Marys Dublin)
50kg James Donovan (O.L.O.L.) (Silver, at least)
52kg Brannon McMahon (Carrickmore)
54kg John Fay (Swords) (Bronze)
56kg James McGuinness (St Monics)
59kg Thomas McAleer (Swords)
62kg Ryan Murphy (Neilstown)
65kg Joe Hutchinson (Neilstown)
68kg Feidhlim Behan (Kilcullen)
72kg Tyler Meade (Kilnamanagh) (Bronze)
76kg Curtis Darcy (Callan) (Silver, at least)
80kg Patrick McDonagh (St Josephs)
Girls
36kg Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk) (Bronze)
39kg Sophia Elstone (Ardnaree)
42kg Nora Jackman (Paulstown) (Bronze)
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ballynacargy) Cpt (Bronze)
48kg Robyn Murran (St Brigids Kildare) (Bronze)
51kg Labhaoise Glynn (Cloghan)
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Glasnevin) (Silver, at least)
57kg Kaci Crowley (Erne) (Silver, at least)
60kg Laura Moran (St Annes)
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Neilstown) (Silver, at least)
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Clann Naofa) (Silver, at least)
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Clann Naofa) (Silver, at least)
IABA President: Dominic O’Rourke
Team Managers: Martin Fennessey and Jennifer O’Sullivan
Coaches: Liam Brereton, Jim O’Neill, Eva Carr, John Gallagher, Tom Hayes
R&J: Brian Wallace
EUROPEAN SCHOOLBOY/GIRL FINALS SCHEDULE

There’s green fingerprints all over the finals schedule at the European Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Championships in Albena, Bulgaria.
Eight Irish boxers – five female and three male – will be aiming for gold in Tuesday’s finals.
The finals will be decided over two sessions beginning at 12pm and 4pm (Irish times).
Irish boxing have claimed a record-breaking 14 medals from Albena.
The colour of eight of those medals will be confirmed tomorrow.
Meantime, Team Ireland are due to arrive home via Dublin Airport (Terminal 1) at 10am on Wednesday morning.

European Schoolboy & Schoolgirl Championships Albena, Bulgaria May 21/30
Tuesday, May 29th
Finals
May 28th
S/Finals
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) beat Laslo Balogh (Hungary) 5-0
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) beat Alfredo Simone (Italy) 5-0
54kg John Fay (Ireland) lost to Matthew Knipe (England) 0-5
72kg Tyler Meade (Ireland) lost to Daniil Kolotov (Russia) 0-5
76kg Curtis Darcy (Ireland) beat Yehor Tkachenko (Ukraine) 5-0
Tuesday, May 29th
Finals
May 26th
Q/Finals
46kg Cale Brennan (Ireland) lost Indir Vracic (Serbia) 1-4
S/Finals
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Ireland) beat Karine Araptican (Ukraine) 5-0
May 25th
Q/Finals
80kg Patrick McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Oleg Ilchenko (Ukraine) 0-5
May 24th
Last 16
Q/Finals
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) beat Lucia Simulescu (Romania) 5-0
May 23rd
Last 16
59kg Thomas McAleer (Ireland) lost to Savelii Suprunets (Ukraine) 0-5
Q/Final
May 22nd
Last 16
60kg Laura Moran (Ireland) lost to Abby Briggs (England) 2-3
Irish squad
Boys
80kg Patrick McDonagh (St Josephs)
Girls
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Clann Naofa) (Silver, at least)
IABA President: Dominic O’Rourke
Team Managers: Martin Fennessey and Jennifer O’Sullivan
Coaches: Liam Brereton, Jim O’Neill, Eva Carr, John Gallagher, Tom Hayes
R&J: Brian Wallace







