2022 World Champion Lisa O’Rourke has won European U22 gold in the completion of the women’s competition in Sofia, Bulgaria today.
Lisa was the dominant boxer from the off, in her final against IBA-B’s Darya Letsko, and claimed every round in style. She climbed atop the podium by way of a 5-0 decision.
The first Team Ireland boxer in action today was 48kg Carleigh Irving, who contested against Turkey’s Nursselen Yalgattekin. This was a hard fought bout by both boxers – Carleigh sustained a nasty cut to the eyebrow in the first round, and battled on despite it. Carleigh comes home with silver following an agonising 3-2 split decision in favour of her opponent. Judges scored the bout 29:28; 28:29; 27:30; 29:28; 27:30.
Also today, 54kg Robin Kelly was awarded her bronze medal.
327 boxers from 36 federations have contested the tournament -Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, IBA Neutral N, IBA Neutral B, Ireland, Israel, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales.
Men’s Finals
On Sunday, 48kg Louis Rooney is first up, boxing for a top-of-the-podium place against Azerbaijan’s Tural Sariyev. 54kg Patsy Joyce is in action in the 3rd bout, taking on Scotland’s Aaron Cullen.
Clepson dos Santos, Bobbi Flood and Martin McDonagh will receive their medals tomorrow
Watch
The EUBC is live-streaming the tournament on its YouTube channel. Links, per day and session, will be published closer to the time of boxing.
Boxers no longer in competition have seized every opportunity for continued development at the tournament. Today, 75kg Bethany Doocey sparred Türkiye, bronze medalist 54kg Robin Kelly sparred Hungary, 63kg Linda Desmond sparred Poland and so too did 57kg Niamh Fay, in the form of Poland’s Olympic silver medalist.
Team Ireland
48kg Carleigh Irving, Oakleaf Boxing Club
54kg Robyn Kelly, Ballynacargy Boxing Club
57kg Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal Boxing Club
63kg Linda Desmond, Rylane Boxing Club
66kg Kaci Rock, Enniskerry Boxing Club
70kg Lisa O’Rourke, Castlerea Boxing Club
75kg Bethany Dooecy, Castlebar Boxing Club
48kg Louis Rooney, Star Boxing Club
51kg Clepson dos Santos, Holy Trinity ABC
54kg Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC Mullingar
57kg Gavin Ryan, Ratoath Golden Gloves Boxing Club
63.5kg Roy Colgan, Avona Boxing Club
67kg Luke Hall, Olympic Boxing Club Mullingar
71kg Bobbi Flood, Cabra Boxing Club
75kg Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown Boxing Club
80kg James Whelan, Dublin Docklands Boxing Club
86kg Kian Hedderman, St. Francis Boxing Club
92+kg Martin McDonagh, Galway Boxing Club
Support Staff
Team Manager: Sean Crowley
Head Coach: Eoin Puck
Coach: Lynne McEnery
Coach: Damian Kennedy
Coach: Jay Delaney
Coach Mentor: Zauri Antia
Physiotherapist: Ceire Smith
R&J: Mal Scott.