GALLAGHER INTO LAST-FOUR AT WORLD YOUTHS

 

Jude Gallagher has his hand raised in victory today

 

 

Irish male captain Jude Gallagher is guaranteed at least bronze at the AIBA World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships in Hungary.

The Irish light-fly beat Brazil’s Rafael Bianchi on a unanimous decision in the quarter-finals this afternoon to secure Ireland’s first medal of the tournament in Budapest.

Today’s victory improves Ireland’s all-time haul at this level to 22 since Eamonn Loughran (silver) and Denis Galvin (bronze) finished in podium positions at the World Youths in Cuba in 1987.

Gallagher completely dominated today’s encounter, the on-fire Tyrone teen earning two 10-8 rounds in a 30-26,30-26,30-27,30-27,30-27 victory. Head shots, body shots, jabs, hooks and footwork, you name it, Gallagher delivered it, with with his best work coming in rounds one and two.

Irish team managers Stephen Connolly and Tara Mari Robins hailed his performance against the South American Games silver medallist.

“An absolutely brilliant performance from Jude, very impressive,” said Connolly. “He will take a lot of confidence from this win going into the semi-finals.”

Meantime, Daina Moorehouse will be aiming to join Gallagher on the medals podium from her quarter-final tomorrow and Irish female captain Lauren Kelly is in last 16 action. European Youth champion Moorehouse meets Thai light-fly Nillda Meekoon, the 2018 Asian Confederation finalist, and European medallist Kelly is in against French middleweight Tallya Brillaux, also a European medallist, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Dom O’Rourke, President of the IABA, arrived in Budapest this morning and was at ringside for Gallagher’s quarter-final.

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) beat Rafael Bianchi (Brazil) 5-0

August 26

Q/Final

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

Last 16

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

August 28

S/Finals

49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) v Thitisan Panmod (Thailand)

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 (Bronze, at least)
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