CLANCY AND ROONEY EDGED ON SPLITS AT WORLD YOUTHS

Dean Clancy and Derbhla Rooney bowed out of the World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships in Budapest, Hungary by the narrowest of margins today.

The Sligo and Leitrim pair were shaded on 3-2 split decisions by Asa Stevens of the USA and Thai feather Panpatchara Somnuek.

Clancy was involved in a close three-rounder with Hawaii southpaw Stevens, the sturdy American countering and working well on the inside in a lively 52kg encounter.

Clancy, however, found the target with a majority of the cleaner shots, particularly in the second frame when he walked his opponent down and whipped home a number of clear backhands.

The finals scores read 29-28,30-27, 28-29,28-29,28-29 with one judge giving the European Youth finalist all three rounds.

Earlier today, Rooney lost to Somnuek after a see-saw 57kg clash.

Panpatchara’s aggression and punch volume was enough to take the first frame, but Rooney had a superb start to the second, particularly in the opening two minutes when her head movement and footwork created plenty of openings to deliver solid shots off both hands.

Rooney, a European silver medallist, also detonated big punches in the third, but the judges leaned toward the industrious Asian silver medallist.

“It was a very tight bout. Dearbhla boxed her heart out and you couldn’t ask for any more,” said Stephen Connolly, Irish team manager in Budapest along with Tara Mari Robins.

Final scores – 29-28,30-27,29-28, 28-29,28-29.

Brandon McCarthy and Daina Moorshouse are between the ropes tomorrow.

AIBA World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships Budapest, Hungary

August 21

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