Kellie Harrington has her hand raised in victory today
Irish boxing will be aiming for double gold at the European Union Championships in Cascia, Italy tomorrow.
Kellie Harrington joined Michaela Walsh in Saturday’s finals after producing a performance oozing with class versus Italy’s Irma Testa in the last-four today.
But Grainne Walsh had to settle for bronze, the Offaly welter desperately unlucky to go out on a split decision to Nadine Apetz despite forcing the German orthodox into a standing count almost on the bell for the end of a cracking 69kg encounter.
Harrington was in top form against Testa. The Dubliner established her reach and timing early and dominated all three rounds against the Rio Olympian.
Grainne Walsh makes her ring entrance with Irish coaches
She’s now meet another Rio Olympian – Finland’s Mira Potkonen who beat Katie Taylor in Rio last August to claim Olympic bronze – for gold tomorrow.
Michaela Walsh is in against German bantam Azize Nimani in the 54kg final.
Walsh and Harrington have claimed three wins each so far in Cascia. The Belfast and Dublin pair were the first Irish boxers in action last Saturday and will be the last Irish boxers in action this Saturday.
Boxing begins at 3.30pm (Irish time) tomorrow.
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) v Azize Nimani (Germany)
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Mira Potkone (Finland)
Irish squad
48kg Kristina O’Hara (St John Bosco)
51kg Carly McNaul (Ormeau Road)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown Antrim) (Silver, at least)
57kg Dervla Duffy (Mulhuddart)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys) (Silver, at least)
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