Oliver McCarthy in action in the semi-finals
Oliver McCarthy had to settle for silver at the European Youth Championships in Anapa, Russia today.
The Cork southpaw was beaten on a unanimous decision by Russia’s Beslan Khamzaev in the 60kg final at the Black Sea port.
McCarthy showcased some of his slick counter-punching skill in all three frames, but Khamzaev more aggressive approach was favoured by the judges.
The Leesider found the target with a stunning left straight down the middle in the last frame, the punch of the bout, but the durable Russian soaked it up and kept marching forward going down the final stretch of a close lightweight decider.
Oliver McCarthy in action in the semi-finals
“It was a tough final and he was a tough opponent, admitted McCarthy, who won European Schoolboy gold in Anapa in 2012.
“I wanted to win the gold medal, but I’m very proud to have won the silver here given the quality of opposition. I would like to thank our coaches Billy and Dmitri and our team manager Stephen Connolly for all work they have done with me and my club coaches at home Peter Higgins and John O’Callaghan.
“Oliver has had a fantastic tournament against some of the best in the world here,” added Irish team manager Stephen Connolly. “It was a very close final and he gave it everything.
“We’re very proud of the performances of our entire squad and the team will be bringing home two medals. With a bit of luck it could have been more.”
Coaches Billy McClean and Dmitri Dimitruk hailed the performances of Team Ireland.
“The boys performed magnificently, absolutely magnificently. The only tragedy for us was the Russian that James McGivern clearly beat in the preliminaries won gold today. Anyone who knows anything about boxing knows that James won that fight hands down against the Russian boxer, said McClean.
“The performances here this week augur very well for the World Championships later this year.”
McCarthy and Monaghan’s Terry McEntee, who won bronze after reaching the flyweight semi-final, were presented with their medals today. McEntee received an ovation from Russian fans after his performance against Russian world champion Nikita Diskunov in Monday’s semi-finals.
Team Ireland are due to arrive home tomorrow night at 11pm via Dublin Airport via Heathrow.
European Youth Championships Anapa, Russia
(Last 16 unless stated)
June 7th
52kg Terry McEntee (Ireland) beat Mykola Lytvyschenko (Ukraine) 3-0
56kg James McGivern (Ireland) lost to Vladimir Strygin (Russia) 1-2 (last 32)
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Ireland) beat Konrad Bialas (Poland) 3-0 (last 32)
June 8th
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Ireland) beat Narek Ogannesyan (Armenia) 3-0
64kg Jason Harty (Ireland) beat Patryk Urbanski (Poland) 3-0 (last 32)
75kg Reece Moran (Ireland) lost to Stepane Mkhitarian (Georgia) 0-3
91kg+ Martin John Mongan (Ireland) beat Alexandr Borison (Moldova) 3-0
June 9th
64kg Jason Harty (Ireland) lost to Iskekhan Madiev (Georgia) 0-3
69kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) beat Laszio Kozak (Hungary) 3-0
81kg Brian Kennedy (Ireland) lost to Sammy Lee (Wales) 0-3
91kg Martin Jim Mongan (Ireland) lost to Dzmitru Sinkin (Belarus) TKO1
June 10th
Q/Finals
52kg Terry McEntee (Ireland) beat Istvan Szaka (Hungary) 3-0
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Ireland) beat Asseme Nauali (Finland) 3-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) lost to Gurgen Madayan (Armenia) 0-3
91kg+ Martin John Mongan (Ireland) lost to Vladislav Muravin (Russia) 0-3
June 13th
S/Finals
52kg Terry McEntee (Ireland) lost to Nikita Diskunov (Russia) 0-3
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Ireland) beat Sarhan Aliev (Azerbaijan) 2-1
June 14th
Final
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Ireland) lost to Beslan Khamzaev (Russia) 0-3
Irish squad
52kg Terry McEntee (Old School) (Bronze)
56kg James McGivern (St Georges)
60kg Oliver McCarthy (Brian Dillon’s) (Silver)
64kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale)
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf)
75kg Reece Moran (St Pauls Waterford)
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys)
91kg Martin Jim Mongan (Ennis)
91kg+ Martin John Mongan (Ennis)
Team Manger: Stephen Connolly
Coaches: Billy McClean, Dmitry Dimitruk
R&J: Ben McGarrigle