Irish team and staff
Irish captain Aaron McKenna and Gabriel Dossen joined Cork’s Eamer Coughlan in Saturday’s Pavlyukov Youth Memorial semi-finals following top drawer performances in Anapa, Russia today.
The Monaghan and Galway duo are now, along with Coughlan, guaranteed at least bronze.
World Youth bronze medallist Dossen beat Armenian welter Toni Galstyan and McKeena followed that with a convincing victory of Tyler Jolly in the light-welter class.
Patrick Donovan, a World Junior silver medallist, was unlucky to out to Russia’s Rashid Yangaziev and Tommy Hyde was beaten by Belarusian champion Aleksei Alferor.
“Gabriel and Aaron were outstanding, and Aaron produced the performance of the day against his talented Scottish opponent, said Irish coach Billy McClean.
“We felt that Patrick was a clear winner but the officials went with the Russian number one. Tommy gave it absolutely everything against the Belarusian champion and we’re very pleased with his performance. No complaints there.
“Saturday is another big day for our boys. We have three in the semi-finals and at least three bronze medals.”
Pavlyukov Youth Memorial Anapa, Russia March 15th/20th
March 15th
69kg Jason Harty (Ireland) lost to Aldivr Turnsinay (Kazakhstan) 0-5
March 16th
60kg: Eamer Coughlan (Ireland) beat OtarI Naveriani (Georgia) 3-2
March 17th
75kg: Tommy Hyde (Ireland) lost to Aleksei Alferor (Belarus) 0-5
March 18th
60kg: Eamer Coughlan (Ireland) v Nikita Piskunov (Russia) (9.30am)
(Irish times above. Approximate times)
Irish Squad
75kg Tommy Hyde (Setanta)
Team manager: Robbie Redmond
Coaches: Billy McClean and Fergal McKenna
R&J: Martin O’Neill