Kurt Walker upgraded his bronze medal to at least silver at the EU Elite Men’s Championships in Valladolid, Spain this afternoon.
But Galway welter Kieran Molloy had to settle for bronze after a fiery three rounds with England’s European Elite finalist Pat McCormack.
Antrim bantam Walker beat Georgia’s Artyush Gomtsyun on a unanimous decision after claiming a 29-28 verdict across the board after winning rounds one and three.
He’ll now meet England current European Elite champion Peter McGrail in Sunday’s final.
Molloy and McCormack went at each other hammer and thongs for most of the three rounds early this evening with each regularly finding the target with backhands.
Both men landed big shots simultaneously in the second frame, but it was Molloy, shaking his head at the call, who took a count.
The third round was equally as close, McCormack starting well, Molloy finishing strong, but it was the European silver medallist that got the decision.
Massive performance from the Irish champion against an equally talented opponent.
EU Elite Championships Valladolid, Spain
November 9
Prelims (Last 16)
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Rosenov Banbakov (Bulgaria) 1-4
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Stefan Ivanov (Bulgaria) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Frazer Clarke (England) 1-4
November 10
Prelims (last 16)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Ruben Veciunoa (Belgium) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat David Michalek (Slovakia) 4-1
November 11th
Prelims (last 16)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Petr Novak (Czech Republic) 5-0
November 12
Prelims (last 16)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Stepan Nikitin (Germany) 5-0
November 13
Q/Finals
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Dmitry Galogot (Moldova) 0-5
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Vincenzo Arecchiai (Italy) 3-1
November 14
Q/Finals
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Toni Filipi (Croatia) 0-5
November 15
Q/Finals
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Jaroslav Iwanow (Poland) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Carl Fail (England) RSCI2
November 17
S/Finals
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Artyush Gomtsyun (Georgia) 5-0
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) lost to Pat McCormack (England) 0-5
November 18
Final
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Peter McGrail (England)
Irish squad
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard BC)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal BC) (Silver, at least)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise BC)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard BC) (Bronze)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel BC) Cpt
Team Manager: Stephen Molloy
Coaches: John Conlan & Eoin Pluck
Physiotherapist: Seamus Caffrey
Team Doctor: Jim Clover- Team Doctor
Sports Physiologist: Damian Martin
Referee & Judge: Jim Murrin- R&JKurt Walker upgraded his bronze medal to at least silver at the EU Elite Championships in Valladolid, Spain this afternoon.
The Antrim bantam beat Georgia’s Artyush Gomtsyun on a unanimous decisionin the 56kg semi-final.
Walker claimed a 29-28 verdict across the board after winning rounds one and three.
He’ll now meet England current European Elite champion Peter McGrail in Sunday’s final.
Kieran Molloy is in semi-final action at approximately 6.30pm today versus England.
EU Elite Championships Valladolid, Spain
November 9
Prelims (Last 16)
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Rosenov Banbakov (Bulgaria) 1-4
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Stefan Ivanov (Bulgaria) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Frazer Clarke (England) 1-4
November 10
Prelims (last 16)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Ruben Veciunoa (Belgium) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat David Michalek (Slovakia) 4-1
November 11th
Prelims (last 16)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Petr Novak (Czech Republic) 5-0
November 12
Prelims (last 16)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Stepan Nikitin (Germany) 5-0
November 13
Q/Finals
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Dmitry Galogot (Moldova) 0-5
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Vincenzo Arecchiai (Italy) 3-1
November 14
Q/Finals
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Toni Filipi (Croatia) 0-5
November 15
Q/Finals
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Jaroslav Iwanow (Poland) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Carl Fail (England) RSCI2
November 17
S/Finals
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Artyush Gomtsyun (Georgia) 5-0
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) V Pat McCormack (England)
November 18
Final
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Peter McGrail (England)
Irish squad
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard BC)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal BC) (Silver, at least)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise BC)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard BC) (Bronze, at least)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel BC) Cpt
Team Manager: Stephen Molloy
Coaches: John Conlan & Eoin Pluck
Physiotherapist: Seamus Caffrey
Team Doctor: Jim Clover- Team Doctor
Sports Physiologist: Damian Martin
Referee & Judge: Jim Murrin- R&J