Michael Nevin and Gabriel Dossen are guaranteed at least bronze at the AIBA World Youth Championships after winning their quarter-finals in St Petersburg today.
But Christopher O’Reilly had to settle for a top-eight finish after losing to Kazakhstan.
Nevin convincingly beat Lithuanian middleweight Vytautas Balsys, the former European Youth, Junior and Schoolboy champion showcasing a wide variety of skills and shot selections to dominate the contest from the second round up.
The Portlaoise BC orthodox will now meet Scotland’s William Hutchison in a Celtic derby on Friday for a place in the 75kg final.
Olympic BC ace Dossen emerged from a high-speed game of 64kg chess with Dominican Republic orthodox Rohan Polanco in the light-welter class.
Michael Nevin and coaches
The Galway southpaw found the target with the majority of punches in the first and lashed home two excellent combinations n the second. Polanco, however, was an astute and cagey opponent and the Irish champion had to maintain his composure and patience in the third to see out victory and secure his first World medal at the first time of asking at an AIBA event.
Russia’s Sergei Margarian awaits in the last-four on Friday.
Earlier today, O’Reilly, who boxes out of the Bracken BC, was giving away a height and reach advantage against Kazakh southpaw Bekzad Nurdaueltov, but the Irish light-heavy managed to work his way in under Nurdaueltov’ guard to deliver his shots. The young man from Central Asia, however, got the verdict after a close contest.
Thursday is a rest day at the 63-nation tournament. The semi-finals and finals will be decided Friday and Saturday.
Irish team manager Stephen Connolly praised the performance of the Irsh trio today. Billy McClean and John Conlan are working Ireland’s corner in St Petersburg.
“Christopher won the first round today but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. He gave it absolutely everything and you can’t ask for more, said Connolly.
“Michael showed his class again today, as did Gabriel. He was in a very cagey bout with hs opponent in the light-welterweight quarter-final. Our coaches got it spot on in this contest. We have another big day ahead of us on Friday.”
AIBA World Youth Championships St Petersburg, Russia
(Last 32 unless stated)
November 18th
60kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) beat Damian Durkacz (Poland) 5-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) beat Kuattisak Promchuay (Thailand) TKO3
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Kim Taek Min (Korea) 5-0
November 19th
49kg Jordan Moore (Ireland) beat Salah Imberahim (Germany) 5-0
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Elio Crespo-Santos (Cuba) 0-5
56kg Eamer Coughlan (Ireland) lost to Toltayayev Samatav (Kazakhstan) 1-4
November 20th
60kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) beat Ranjo Napoles (Philippines) 5-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) lost to Andrej Csemez (Slovakia) 2-3
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Matej Uremovic (Croatia) 5-0
November 21st
49kg Jordan Moore (Ireland) lost to Carlo Paalan (Philippines) 1-4
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Freudis Rojas Jnr. (USA) 4-1
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Krenar Aliu (Finland) (last 16) 4-1
November 22nd
(Last 16)
60kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) lost to Sarkhan Aliyev (Azerbaijan) 1-4
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Hugo MiCallef (Monaco) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Moreno Fendero (France) 5-0
91kg+ Kevin Sheehy (Ireland) lost to Mahammad Abdullayev (Azerbaijan) 0-5
November 23rd
Q/Finals
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Rohan Polanco (Dominican Republic) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Vytautas Balsys (Lithuania) 4-1
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) lost to Bekzad Nurdaueltov (Kazakhstan) 0-5
November 25th
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) v Sergei Margarian (Russia)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v William Hutchinson (Scotland)
Irish squad
49kg Jordan Moore (Glasnevin)
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Eamer Coughlan (Riverstown)
60kg Patrick Donovan (OLOL)
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Olympic) (Bronze, at least)
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) Cpt
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise) (Bronze, at least)
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Bracken)
91+kg Kevin Sheehy (St Francis)
Team manager: Stephen Connolly
Coaches: Billy McClean and John Conlan
R&J: Ben McGarrigle