ST PATRICK’S WEEKEND GOLD AND SILVER FOR IRELAND IN RUSSIA

Gabriel Dossen, Aaron McKenna and Eamer Coughlan proudlky display their medals today in Anapa

Gabriel Dossen, Aaron McKenna and Eamer Coughlan proudly display their medals today in Anapa

Ireland’s top prospects experienced mixed fortunes in the Pavlyukov Youth Memorial finals in Anapa, Russia this morning.

Irish captain Aaron McKenna capped a magnificent tournament after convincingly beating Russia’s Rashid Yangazie in the light-welter final on a unanimous decision.

But World Youth bronze medallist Gabriel Dossen, who was down in the second, had to settle for silver against Yangazie’s compatriot, Danis Gabdrafikov, in the welter class.

Irish coach Billy McClean hailed the performances of the Irish pair versus top class opposition at the “mini-World Championships.”

“Aaron was absolutely magnificent today and dominated his final against a quality opponent. It was a comprehensive win against the current Russian champion and let us not forget that Aaron beat a current World Junior champion in the semi-finals. We cannot commend his performances highly enough, said Irish coach Billy McClean.

“Gabriel finished very strong against his Russian opponent, a top class boxer. It was a big performance from Gabriel and he will be taking home a silver medal. All our squad performed magnificently here this week in a quality tournament.”

McClean also hailed coach Fergal McKenna, while Irish team manager Robbie Redmond praised the performances of the Irish team who have been in training camp in Anapa since earlier this month.

McKenna (gold), Dossen (silver) and Eamer Coughlan (bronze) finished in podium positions at the Black Sea Port.

Team Ireland are due to arrive home at 10.30pm tomorrow night via Dublin Airport.

Pavlyukov Youth Memorial Anapa, Russia March 15th/20th

March 15th

Last 16
69kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Ivan Stupen (Russia) 3-2
69kg Jason Harty (Ireland) lost to AldivrTurnsinay (Kazakhstan) 0-5

March 16th
Last 16
64kg: Aaron McKenna (Ireland) beat Pavel Kamgnin (Estonia) 5-0
64kg: Patrick Donovan (Ireland) beat Denik Nikogosyan (Armenia) 5-0

Q/Final

60kg: Eamer Coughlan (Ireland) beat OtarI Naveriani (Georgia) 3-2

March 17th

Q/Finals
69kg: Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Toni Galstyan (Armenia) 5-0
64kg: Aaron McKenna (Ireland) beat Tyler Jolly (Scotland) 5-0
64kg: Patrick Donovan (Ireland) lost to Rashid Yangazie (Russia) 2-3
75kg: Tommy Hyde (Ireland) lost to Aleksei Alferor (Belarus) 0-5

March 18th

S/Finals
60kg: Eamer Coughlan (Ireland) lost to Nikita Piskunov (Russia) 1-4
64kg: Aaron McKenna (Ireland) beat Bilobek Mirzarakhimov (Uzbekistan) 4-1
69kg: Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Denis Shapochinkiy (Russia) 5-0

March 19th

Finals

69kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) lost to Danis Gabdrafikov (Russia) 0-5
64kg: Aaron McKenna (Ireland) beat Rashid Yangazie (Russia) 5-0

Irish Squad

60kg Eamer Coughlan (Riverstown) (Bronze)
64kg Patrick Donovan (OLOL)
64kg Aaron McKenna (Old School) (Gold)
69kg Gabriel Dossen (Olympic) (Silver)
69kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale)
75kg Tommy Hyde (Setanta)

Team manager: Robbie Redmond
Coaches: Billy McClean and Fergal McKenna
R&J: Martin O’Neill