Four Irish boxers advanced to the quarter-finals of the European Schoolboy/Girl Championships in Albena, Bulgaria on a day of contrasting fortunes for Team Ireland.
Ireland male captain Cale Brennan, William Faulkner, Jason Nevin and John Fay had their hands raised in victory at the 27-nation tournament.
Brennan advanced after a fiery encounter with Ukraine’s Denys Rosdolskyi. Both young men took standing counts in the second with the Irish skipper sealing the win after rocking his opponent with a big right and combination in the third.
Faulkner dominated versus Greek orthodox Georgis Georgantzas, the Limerick southpaw finding the target with a wide selection of shots in all three rounds against a brave but ultimately outclassed opponent.
Fay subjected Dovydas Paskevicius of Lithuania to three rounds or unrelenting pressure – his best work was probably in the first when he had his opponent in trouble on the ropes – to book his ticket to within striking distance of at least bronze.
Likewise with Nevin, who looked as if he was going to stop Serghei Nova in the third. In fairness to the diminutive Moldovan, he did battle away in all three frames but never really had an answer to Nevin’s swift combinations off the front and back foot.
Brannon McMahon, James McGuinness, Martin McDonagh and Thomas McAleer, who out-boxed Savelii Suprunets of the Ukraine, bowed out at the last 16 stage in the afternoon and evening sessions.
Big performances from all young men who wore their Irish vests with pride against talented opponents on a day when the Irish coaching staff of Liam Brereton, Jim O’Neill, Eva Carr, John Gallagher and Tom Hayes put in a massive shift.
It will be even more hectic tomorrow, with 11 Irish boxers between the ropes in another big day for Ireland at the Black Sea Holiday resort.
Pictures of Irish boxers & coaches today and results, courtesy of Irish team managers Jennifer O’Sullivan and Martin Fenessey.
Special mention to the Ireland squad, staff and fans who got behind the boys in green and created a tremendous atmosphere for all eight bouts involving Ireland today.
Irish amateur boxing is proudly sponsoder by Liffey Crane.
European Schoolboy & Schoolgirl Championships Albena, Bulgaria May 21/30
May 22nd
Last 16
60kg Lauren 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
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 24th
Last 16
38.5kg Martin Collins (Ireland) v Anton Salika (Belarus)
40kg Michael Faulkner (Ireland) v Gicha Gordulava (Georgia)
44.5kg Conor Donovan (Ireland) v Dominik Mucska (Hungary)
68kg Feidhlim Behan (Ireland) v Tymofii Krupko (Ukraine)
Q/Final
39kg Sophie Elstone (Ireland) v Polina Spirna (Russia)
42kg Nora Jackman (Ireland) v Viktoria Danielova (Slovakia)
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ireland) v Lyuba Atanasova (Bulgaria)
48kg Robyn Murran (Ireland) v Izabella Devenyi (Hungary)
51kg Labhaoise Glynn (Ireland) v Francesca Falconeri (Italy)
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Ireland) v Sophia Mazzoni (Italy)
57kg Kaci Crowley (Ireland) v Lucia Simulescu (Romania)
May 25th
Q/Finals
43kg Jason Nevin (Ireland) v Serghei Nova (Moldova)
48kg Michael Connors (Ireland) v aider Abduraimov (Ukraine)
50kg James Donovan (Ireland) v Dzhem Demirev (Bulgaria)
54kg John Fay (Ireland) v Mikita Harbuz (Belarus) or Martin Domeny (Hungary)
62kg Ryan Murphy (Ireland) v Armenia or Ukraine
65kg Joe Hutchinson (Ireland) v Irakli Janelidze (Georgia)
72kg Tyler Meade (Ireland) v Milon Tibic (Serbia)
76kg Curtis Darcy (Ireland) v Malyas Nagyos (Romania)
80kg Patrick McDonagh (Ireland) v Oleg Ilchenko (Ukraine)
May 26th
Q/Finals
41.5kg William Faulkner (Ireland) v Bogdan Priima (Russia)
43kg Jason Nevin (Ireland) v Shane Paterson (England)
46kg Cale Brennan (Ireland) v Indir Vracic (Serbia)
S/Finals
36kg Katie O’Keeffe (Ireland) v Renata Mingalimova (Russia)
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Ireland) v Sunniva Hofstad (Norway)
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Ireland) v Alena Krinichnaia (Russia)
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Ireland) v Karine Araptican (Ukraine)
Irish squad
Boys
38.5kg Martin Collins (Drimnagh)
40kg Michael Faulkner (Northside)
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.)
52kg Brannon McMahon (Carrickmore)
54kg John Fay (Swords)
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)
76kg Curtis Darcy (Callan)
80kg Patrick McDonagh (St Josephs)
91kg Martin McDonagh (Ballyhaunis)
Girls
36kg Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk)
39kg Sophia Elstone (Ardnaree)
42kg Nora Jackman (Paulstown)
45kg Robyn Kelly (Ballynacargy) Cpt
48kg Robyn Murran (St Brigids Kildare)
51kg Labhaoise Glynn (Cloghan)
54kg Yasmin Meredith (Glasnevin)
57kg Kaci Crowley (Erne)
60kg Laura Moran (St Annes)
63kg Winne Christina McDonagh (Neilstown)
67kg Dearbhla Tinnelly (Clann Naofa)
70kg Nasya McJin-Igelige (Clann Naofa)
IABA President: Dominic O’Rouke
Team Managers: Martin Fennessey and Jennifer O’Sullivan
Coaches: Liam Brereton, Jim O’Neill, Eva Carr, John Gallagher, Tom Hayes
R&J: Brian Wallace