Michael Nevin and Gabriel Dossen showed their class to join Christopher O’Reilly in the quarter-finals of the AIBA World Youth Championships in St Petersburg, Russia today.
But Limerick duo Kevin Sheehy and Paddy Donovan bowed out at the last 16 stage at the Sibur Arena.
Nevin progressed to the last-eight at the expense of France’s Moreno Fendero.
The Irish middleweight, constantly changing the point of attack, dominated the first two rounds of the 75kg contest with simple but very effective combinations against his up tempo opponent.
Nevin switched to the body in the third, the Portlaoise BC man finding the target up to eight times en route to the last-eight.
Donovan was unlucky to be on the wrong side of a split decision to Azei lightweight Sarkhan Aliyev.
The 2015 World Junior silver medallist clipped home some excellent backhands throughout the contest and also had the confidence to fire home a number of body shots in the final two rounds against lively and hard-working opposition.
Sheehy had a good first frame against Azerbaijan’s Mahammad Abdullayev. The Shannonsider started well, a big right hook winging its way home within seconds of the start. He also used his jab to good effect.
But the Azeri, occasionally switching stances and pressurising the Irish super-heavy constantly, dominated rounds two and three.
Hugo MiCallef won Monaco’s first ever AIBA bout at any level in the preliminaries in St Petersburg, but he didn’t make that two on-the-trot against Olympic BC light-welter Dossen today.
After a cagey start, the Galway southpaw worked his way well into this contest, established control and delivered some excellent backhands and hooks in all three rounds.
O’Reilly, Nevin and Dossen will fight for at least bronze tomorrow.
AIBA World Youth Championships St Petersburg, Russia
(Last 32 unless stated)
November 18th
60kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) beat Damian Durkacz (Poland) 5-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) beat Kuattisak Promchuay (Thailand) TKO3
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Kim Taek Min (Korea) 5-0
November 19th
49kg Jordan Moore (Ireland) beat Salah Imberahim (Germany) 5-0
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Elio Crespo-Santos (Cuba) 0-5
56kg Eamer Coughlan (Ireland) lost to Toltayayev Samatav (Kazakhstan) 1-4
November 20th
60kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) beat Ranjo Napoles (Philippines) 5-0
69kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) lost to Andrej Csemez (Slovakia) 2-3
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Matej Uremovic (Croatia) 5-0
November 21st
49kg Jordan Moore (Ireland) lost to Carlo Paalan (Philippines) 1-4
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Freudis Rojas Jnr. (USA) 4-1
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Krenar Aliu (Finland) (last 16) 4-1
November 22nd
(Last 16)
60kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) lost to Sarkhan Aliyev (Azerbaijan) split
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Hugo MiCallef (Monaco) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Moreno Fendero (France) 5-0
91kg+ Kevin Sheehy (Ireland) lost to Mahammad Abdullayev (Azerbaijan) 0-5
November 23rd
Q/Finals
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) v Rohan Polanco (Dominican Republic)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Vytautas Balsys (Lithuania)
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Ireland) v Bekzad Nurdaueltov (Kazakhstan)
Irish squad
49kg Jordan Moore (Glasnevin)
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Eamer Coughlan (Riverstown)
60kg Patrick Donovan (OLOL)
64kg Gabriel Dossen (Olympic)
69kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) Cpt
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Christopher O’Reilly (Bracken)
91+kg Kevin Sheehy (St Francis)
Team manager: Stephen Connolly
Coaches: Billy McClean and John Conlan
R&J: Ben McGarrigle