Dean Clancy and Derbhla Rooney bowed out of the World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships in Budapest, Hungary by the narrowest of margins today.

The Sligo and Leitrim pair were shaded on 3-2 split decisions by Asa Stevens of the USA and Thai feather Panpatchara Somnuek.

Clancy was involved in a close three-rounder with Hawaii southpaw Stevens, the sturdy American countering and working well on the inside in a lively 52kg encounter.

Clancy, however, found the target with a majority of the cleaner shots, particularly in the second frame when he walked his opponent down and whipped home a number of clear backhands.

The finals scores read 29-28,30-27, 28-29,28-29,28-29 with one judge giving the European Youth finalist all three rounds.

Earlier today, Rooney lost to Somnuek after a see-saw 57kg clash.

Panpatchara’s aggression and punch volume was enough to take the first frame, but Rooney had a superb start to the second, particularly in the opening two minutes when her head movement and footwork created plenty of openings to deliver solid shots off both hands.

Rooney, a European silver medallist, also detonated big punches in the third, but the judges leaned toward the industrious Asian silver medallist.

“It was a very tight bout. Dearbhla boxed her heart out and you couldn’t ask for any more,” said Stephen Connolly, Irish team manager in Budapest along with Tara Mari Robins.

Final scores – 29-28,30-27,29-28, 28-29,28-29.

Brandon McCarthy and Daina Moorshouse are between the ropes tomorrow.

AIBA World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships Budapest, Hungary

August 21

Last 32

Dearbhla Rooney, pictured, lost her bid to reach the last 16 at the World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships in Budapest, Hungary today.

The Leitrim feather was edged on a 3-2 split by Thailand’s Panpatchara Somnuek after a see-saw 57kg clash.

Panpatchara’s aggression and punch volume was enough to take the first frame, but Rooney had a superb start to the second, particularly in the opening two minutes when her head movement and footwork created plenty of openings to deliver solid shots off both hands.

Rooney, a European silver medallist, also found the target with big punches in the third, but the judges leaned toward the industrious Asian silver medallist.

“It was a very tight bout. Dearbhla boxed her heart out and you couldn’t ask for any more,” said Stephen Connolly, Irish team manager in Budapest along with Tara Mari Robins.

Final scores – 29-28,30-27,29-28, 28-29,28-29.

Dean Clancy is in action versus the USA in the 6th bout in the 2nd session today. Boxing begins at 4pm (Irish time).

AIBA World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships Budapest, Hungary

August 21

Last 32

Dearbhla Rooney and Dean Clancy, pictured above and below after today’s weigh-ins, get Ireland’s campaign underway at the World Youth Championships in Budapest, Hungary today.

The Irish pair weighed-in this morning and are in action in the last 32 in the afternoon and evening sessions versus Thailand and USA.

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Boxing begins at 11am and 4pm today (Irish times) at the Duna Arena.

Please click here for all draw sheets.

AIBA World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships Budapest, Hungary

August 21

Last 32

The St Francis BC provided the X-Factor in Limerick’s historic All-Ireland hurling victory at Croke Park yesterday.

Limerick, who last won the title in 1973, three years after The Beatles announced they’d split, beat Galway to bridge the 45-year gap on Sunday.

Most of the hurling panel trained at Limerick’s St Francis club under club coaches Ken Moore, Valerie Hamilton and Derek Duhig ahead of a fundraising Night of Boxing at the South Court Hotel on Shannonside in December.

“It’s a dream come through. I think we all played out this scenario since when we were four or five years of age. That (unity) stretches back to last November when we all got together for a boxing camp, “ said Treaty County hurler Kyle Hayes.

”We were boxing the head off each other in October and now we’re lifting the trophy!”

Limerick captain Declan Hannon believes that the St Francis sessions helped forge the character of the side.

“It goes back to last November when we got together and did a boxing camp,” he said after Sunday’s nail-biting win over defending champions Galway brought the curtain down on an extraordinary 2018 All-Ireland hurling series.

All-Ireland winner Darragh O’Donovan added: “I remember crawling into the boxing ring in St. Francis with this man at the end of October. I’ll tell you that is where this thing was earned.”

Ken Moore and Valarie Hamilton with Limerick coach John Kiely

Ken Moore explained that 18 of the hurling panel – 10 Na Piarsaigh players were not available due to club commitments – trained at the club for almost two months, passed their medicals and are all IABA and St Francis BC registered boxers.

“It was fantastic to see Limerick winning the final against a very good Galway side.They trained with us for eight weeks and it was very nice to hear Limerick hurling acknowledge the contribution that St Francis and boxing made in helping bond the team in media reports today,” he said.

Is there an Irish title in any of them?

“Well, they’re all All-Ireland champions now either way,” added Moore.“They’re a hugely committed team and they’ve done Limerick proud on and off the field.”