John Paul Hale and Cork’s Owen McDonagh ensured that Ireland will be taking home at least three bronze medals from the Brandenburg Youth Cup in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany.
The Ulster and Munster pair recorded 4-1 split decisions wins over Germany and Russia today to join Adam Hession in Friday’s semi-finals.
David Oliver Joyce, Sean Crowley, Pierce O’Leary, who picked up a hand injury, and Mayo’s Owen McDonagh bowed out of the 23rd edition of the tournament at the quarter-final stage after close bouts.
Hale pulled out all the stops to beat Germany’s Rasual Hamad. The Star BC ace landed the vast majority of the cleaner shots this afternoon and was full value for his impressive win.
Likewise with talented Leeside Lough BC prospect McDonagh who dictated his contest with Nikita Sevostyanov, the Leesider staggering the Russian orthodox back with a sweeping left in the third.
Hession, McDonagh and Hale will be back between the ropes tomorrow looking to upgrade to at least silver.
The finals will be decided on Saturday.
Brandenburg Youth Cup Frankfurt/Oder Germany
July 5
Q/Finals
52kg Owen McDonagh (Ireland) beat Nikita Sevostyanov (Russia) 4-1
56kg John Paul Hale (Ireland) beat Rasual Hamad (Germany) 4-1
60kg David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) lost to Rakhat Seitzhan (Kazakhstan) 0-5
64kg Pierce O’Leary (Ireland) lost to Talgen Shaiken (Kazakhstan) 0-5
75kg Sean Crowley (Ireland) lost to Vadim Andreyev (Belarus) 0-5
91kg Owen McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Hassan Hagag (Austria) 0-5
July 6th
S/Finals
49kg Adam Hession (Ireland) v Massimo Spada (Italy)
52kg Owen McDonagh (Ireland) v Patrick Cappai (Italy) or Asker Tambiev (Russia K)
56kg John Paul Hale (Ireland) v Alexander Gudziy (Russia) or Ijya Varabyou (Belarus)
July 4
Last 16
60kg David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) beat Mert Caliskan (Germany) 3-2
64kg Pierce O’Leary (Ireland) beat Aman Poorasghar (Germany) 5-0
69kg Christian Preston (Ireland) lost to Timur Nurushev (Russia) 0-5
81kg Jack Lawlor (Ireland) lost to Georgy Gubeladze (Germany) 1-4
Irish squad
49kg Adam Hession (Monivea) (Bronze, at least)
52kg Owen McDonagh (Leeside Lough) Bronze, at least)
56kg John Paul Hale (Star) (Bronze, at least)
60kg David Oliver Joyce (Ballymun)
64kg Pearce O’Leary (Dublin Docklands)
69kg Christian Preston (Dublin Docklands)
75kg Sean Crowley (Arklow)
81kg Jack Lawlor (Thurles)
91kg Owen McDonagh (St Annes)
Team Manager: Gerry O’Mahony (Dungarvan)
Coaches: Phil Sutcliffe (Crumlin) & Stephen Friel (Illies GG)
R&J: P McEvoy (Avona)