Michaela Walsh on podium today
But Kellie Harrington had to settle for silver after she lost on a majority decision to Finland’s Rio 2016 bronze medallist Mira Potkonen after a hard-punching lightweight final.
Belfast-native Walsh impressively beat German bantam Azize Nimani on a unanimous decision to become the only Irish female boxer besides Katie Taylor to top a podium at this level.
Kellie Harrington on podium today
The Monkstown BC stand out, who was clearly emotional when the Irish national anthem was being played, proudly accepted her gold medal this afternoon.
Walsh, Harrington and Grainne Walsh will be bringing home gold, silver and bronze from Cascia. The three medals equals the record haul of gold, silver and bronze at the 2013 EU tournament.
www.iaba.ie estimates that Ireland will finish in the top five in the medals table. Turkey (3), Italy 2), Ireland, Finland. Bulgaria, Germany and the Netherlands won gold.
Walsh and Harrington were the first Irish boxers in action last Saturday and the last Irish boxers between the ropes today. They won seven of their eight fights between them.
Grainne Walsh won bronze in Cascia
Irish team manager Bernard Dunne, the IABA High-Performance Director, hailed the performances of the Irish team in Cascia.
Dimitri Dimitruc and Jimmy Payne were working Ireland’s corner in Italy.
Ireland’s Jim Murrin refereed today’s flyweight final between Sweden and Turkey.
Meantime, the Irish squad are scheduled to arrive home at 1.35pm tomorrow, Sunday August 13th, afternoon via Dublin Airport (Terminal 2, via Rome).
All media are invited to attend Sunday’s homecoming.
European Union Women’s Championships Cascia, Italy August 4th/13th
August 5th
Last 16
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Ebonie Jones (England) 5-0
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Kinga Szalachcic (Poland) 4-1
August 6th
Last 16
48kg Kristina O’Hara (Ireland) beat Saru Lehtonen (Finland) 5-0
51kg Carly McNaul (Ireland) lost to Wassila Lkhadiri (France) 2-3
57kg Dervla Duffy (Ireland) beat Kinga Mezovari (Hungary) 5-0
August 7th
Q/finals
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Julia Coroli (Moldova) 5-0
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Ditteajaaja Frostholm (Denmark) 5-0
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) beat Lauren Price (Wales) 3-2
August 8th
Q/Finals
48kg Kristina O’Hara (Ireland) lost to Roberta Bonatte (Italy) 1-4
75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) lost to Nouchka Fontijn (Netherlands) 0-5
August 9th
Q/Finals
57kg Dervla Duffy (Ireland) lost to Ornella Wahner (Germany) 0-5
S/Finals
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Helena Envall (Sweden) 5-0
August 11th
S/Finals
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Irma Testa (Italy) 5-0
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) lost to Nadine Apetz (Germany) 2-3
August 12th
Final
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Azize Nimani (Germany) 5-0
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) lost to Mira Potkonen (Finland) 0-4
Irish squad
48kg Kristina O’Hara (St John Bosco)
51kg Carly McNaul (Ormeau Road)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown Antrim) (Gold)
57kg Dervla Duffy (Mulhuddart)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys) (Silver)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus) (Bronze)
75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
Team Manager/High-Performance Director: Bernard Dunne
Coaches: Dmitry Dimitruc and Jimmy Payne
Physio: Maureen Harte
R&J: Jim Murrin