Jude Gallagher,pictured, had to settle for bronze at the World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships in Budapest, Hungary today.
The Irish light-fly was beaten on a 4-1 split decision by Thailand’s Thitisan Panmod after a close semi-final at the Duna Arena.
Gallagher will be taking him bronze from Hungary, Ireland’s 22nd medal at this level since Cuba 1987.
The Tyrone orthodox found the target with enough body shots – and two clean combinations – in the first round to win the frame against his industrious opponent, who received at least four cautions for dropping his head, on the unofficial cards.
The Irish captain began the second with a good right to the head, but Panmod, constantly staying close to deny the young Irishman any leverage, was bearing away on the inside for most of the stanza.
The third and final round was more or less a replica of the second with neither orthodox enjoying any sustained dominance.
Puerto Rico’s Paul Jan Rivero earned a 3-2 split over Kazakhstan’s Makhmud Sabyrkhan in the corresponding semi-final which was refereed by Ireland’s Dermot McDermott.
Today’s defeat brings Ireland’s competitive interest in the tournament to a close. Ireland were using a seven-strong male and female squad in Hungary.
Irish head coach Billy McClean and team managers Stephen Connolly and Tara Mari Robins hailed Gallagher’s performance today and the performances of the entire squad at the 81-nation tournament.
“It’s been a wonderful performance by Jude and all seven of our boxers over the past week.The future of Irish boxing is looking very bright!” tweeted the Irish Embassy in Budapest.
Gallagher will be presented with his bronze medal during Thursday’s finals.The Irish squad are scheduled to arrive home at 4pm on Saturday via Dublin Airport.
Billy McClean, Mike Mongan, Olympic champion Michael Carruth and Antia Just worked Ireland’s corner in Budapest.
Images courtesy of Irish women’s team manager Tara Mari Robins.
AIBA World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships Budapest, Hungary
August 28
S/Finals
49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) lost to Thitisan Panmod (Thailand) 1-4
49kg Makhmud Sabyrkhan (Kazakhstan) lost to Paul Jan Rivero (Puerto Rico) 2-3
August 26
Q/Final
48kg Daina Moorehouse (Ireland) lost to Nillda Meekoon (Thailand) 0-5
Last 16
75kg: Lauren Kelly (Ireland) lost to Tallya Brillaux (France) 0-5
August 25
Q/Final
49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) beat Rafael Bianchi (Brazil) 5-0
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
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)
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