Kellie Harrington
Kellie Harrington, pictured, is within striking distance of the medals at the 11th European Elite Women’s Championships in Bulgaria.
But Grainne Walsh bowed out of the tournament early this evening.
Harrington beat Czech Republic lightweight Katerina Humlova this afternoon to book her ticket in Saturday’s quarter-finals in Sofia.
Harrington and Humlova eventually crossed swords after a delay because of a power cut in the Asics Arena venue.
The Dublin southpaw convincingly won on a unanimous decision to join Michaela Walsh, who is between the ropes tomorrow, in the weekend’s deciders.
Both Irish fighters are within one win of at least bronze and have qualified for the 2019 European Games in Belarus by virtue by making the last-eight.
Grainne Walsh was beaten on a unanimous decision by Russian southpaw Iaroslava Iakushina in the welter class.
Walsh, taking the fight to her opponent at every opportunity, found the target with solid hooks, particularly in the latter rounds, but the Moscovite’s slick counter punching was impressive in all three frames.
Michaela Walsh meets Helina Bruyevich of Belarus, an opponent she beat in 2014, for at least bronze in Friday’s quarter-finals.
European Women’s Elite Championships Sofia, Bulgaria
June 5
Last 32
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Karriss Artingstal (England) 5-0
June 6
Last 16
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Alessia Mesiano (Italy) 5-0
June 7
Last 16
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Katerina Humlova (Czech Republic) 5-0
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) lost to Iaroslava Iakushina (Russia) 0-5
June 8
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Helina Bruyevich (Belarus)
June 9
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Iulia Tsyplakova (Ukraine)
Irish squad
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
Team Manager: Bernard Dunne
Head Coach: Zaur Antia
Coach: Dmitry Dmitruk
Physio: Muireann Harte
R&J: Sadie Duffy