GALLAGHER ADVANCES BUT FRYERS BOWS OUT AT WORLD YOUTHS

 

Jude Gallagher has his hand raised in victory today

 

Jude Gallagher pulled out all the stops to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships in Hungary today.

The Irish male captain and European Youth medallists beat China’s Renuex Zhao on a unanimous decision after a fiery light-fly encounter at the Duna Arena.

Gallagher, who had to stay alert against his switch-hitting opponent, drilled home a steady supply of body shots and sealed the second round with a head shot after a fairly close opening frame.

Three straight lefts to the head early in the third suggested that Zhao had run out ideas against the young Irishman, but, in fairness to the Asian Youth Confederation bronze medallist, he battled all the way down to the final bell.

Gallagher will now meet Brazil in the last-eight on Saturday.

Caitlin Fryers (red) in action todaay

Earlier this afternoon, Caitlin Fryers bowed out in the preliminaries.

The Belfast flyweight, at the beginning of a campaign to match or surpass her bronze medal at the 2017 Worlds Youths, was beaten on a 4-1 split decision by Thailand’s Kittiya Nampa after three close rounds.

Fryers game plan was to circumvent the longer reach of her Asian opponent, and she mostly achieved that, particularly in the opening seconds of the third with Nampa taking four/five unanswered head shots.

The Thai southpaw, effective with her back hand, was also on the floor from a hook at the end second but that was ruled a slip. Overall, a big performance from Fryers in a bout that could have gone either way.

Meantime, Gallagher and Daina Moorehouse, who is between the ropes on Sunday, are both through to the last-eight and are within striking distance of at least bronze.

Irish female captain Lauren Kelly boxes in the last 16 on Sunday.

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

August 23

Last 32

51kg Caitlin Fryers (Ireland) lost to Kittiya Nampa (Thailand) 1-4

Last 16

49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) beat Renuex Zhao (China) 5-0

August 22

Last 32

56kg Brandon McCarthy (Ireland) lost to  Kumar Akash (India) 0-5

Last 16

48kg Daina Moorehouse (Ireland) beat Marta Lopez Del Arbol (Spain) 4-1

August 21

Last 32

57kg:Dearbhla Rooney (Ireland) lost to Panpatchara Somnuek (Thailand) 2-3
52kg:Dean Clancy (Ireland) lost to Asa Stevens (USA) 2-3

August 25

Q/Final

49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) v Rafael Bianchi (Brazil) (evening)

August 26

Q/Final

48kg Diana Moorehouse (Ireland) v Nillda Meekoon (Thailand) (afternoon)

Last 16

75kg: Lauren Kelly (Ireland) v Tallya Brillaux (France) (afternoon)

Irish squad

Female
48kg Daina Moorhouse (Enniskerry)
51kg Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata)
57kg Dearbhla Rooney (Sean McDermot)
75kg Lauren Kelly (St Brigid’s Edenderry) Cpt
Male
49kg Jude Gallagher (Two Castles) Cpt
52kg Dean Clancy (Ballinacarrow)
56kg Brandon McCarthy (St Michael’s Athy)
Team managers: Stephen Connolly and Tara Mari Robins
Head coach: Billy McClean
Coaches: Michael Carruth, Michael Mongan, Anita Just
Physio: David Cooke