Shauna O’Keeffe had to settle for a top eight finish at the European Elite Women’s Championships after she lost her 60kg quarter-final in Sofia, Bulgaria today.
The Tipperary lightweight was beaten on a unanimous decision by Russia’s Daria Abramova for at least bronze.
Abramova’s unspectacular but effective hit and move tactics won the day, but it was a typically gutsy performance from O’Keeffe who boxed on despite needing attention from the ringside doctor for a cut near her right eye.
The Clonmel BC fighter also found the target with a number of big lefts against an opponent who could very well prove to be the first woman to claim the 60kg belt in eleven years besides Katie Taylor who has turned professional.
O’Keeffe was the only Irish boxer in action today.
Christina Desmond, Grainne Walsh and Moira McElligott are in quarter-final action on Sunday in Sofia. All three meet Russian opponents with at least bronze up for grabs in the Bulgarian capital.
European Women’s Championships Sofia, Bulgaria
(Last 16 bouts unless stated)
November 15th
54kg Dervla Duffy (Ireland) lost to Lacramiora Perijoc (Romania) 0-3
November 16th
48kg Lauren Hogan (Ireland) lost to Ekaterina Pinigiana (Russia) 0-3
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) beat Marija Petovic (Serbia) TKO3
November 17th
60kg Shauna O’Keeffe (Ireland) beat Aneta Rygielska (Poland) 3-0
November 18th
57kg Moira McElligott (Ireland) beat Sara Beram (Croatia) 3-0
64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) lost to Aleksandra Ordina (Russia) 1-2
November 19th
Q/Finals
60kg Shauna O’Keeffe (Ireland) lost to Daria Abramova (Russia) 0-3
November 20th
Q/Finals
57kg Moira McElligott (Ireland) v Natalya Samokhina (Russia)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Saadat Abdulaeva (Russia)
75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) v Oksana Trofimova (Russia)
Irish Squad
48kg Lauren Hogan (St.Brigids Edenderry)
54kg Dervla Duffy (Mulhuddart)
57kg Moira McElliggot (St Michael’s Athy)
60kg Shauna O’Keeffe (Clonmel)
64kg Kellie Harrington (Glasnevin)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgans)
Team manager: Noreen Glendening
Physio: Caoimhe Gilmore
Coaches: Zaur Antia, Eddie Bolger, Dmitri Dimitruc
R&J: Sadie Duffy