Joe Ward
Sis Irish boxers will be aiming for gold at the Nicolae Linca Golden Belt in Galati, Romania tomorrow.
Joe Ward and Kiril Afanasev joined Michaela Walsh, Kellie Harrington, Grainne Walsh and Aoife O’Rourke in Saturday’s finals.
Ward beat Welsh light-heavy Sammy Lee on a 4-1 split this afternoon after a tight all-southpaw encounter.
Afanasev nailed his third win in three days to guarantee himself at least silver at the expense Ukrainian heavyweight Robert Marton.
Tipperary super heavy Dean Gardiner was unlucky to bow out in the second last-bout on today’s program to Mihai Nistor in the super-heavy class.
Earlier today, Conor Quinn, Kurt Walker, who like Gardiner can consider himself unlucky not to get the decision, Kieran Molloy and Wayne Kelly had to settle for bronze.
Saturday’s finals begin at 12pm (Irish time).
Nicolae Linca Elite Golden Belt Galati, Romania September 25/30
September 28
S/Finals (1pm session)
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Galal Yafai (England) 0-5
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) lost to Bayan Asenov (Bulgaria) 1-4
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Dmitry Galagot (Moldova) 0-5
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) lost to Pat McCormack (England) 0-5
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) beat Sammy Lee (Wales) 4-1
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Robert Marton (Ukraine) 4-1
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Mihai Nistor (Romania) 1-4
September 27
S/Finals
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) lost to Claudia Nechita (Romania) 0-5
56kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Andeal Brankovic (Serbia) 5-0
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Jelena Jelic (Serbia) 5-0
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Stefania Balca (Romania) RSC1
Q/Finals
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Ddrian Thidn (Spain) 5-0
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Marian Pita (Romania) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Cheavon Clarke (England) 3-2
September 26
Q/Finals
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) beat Virban Gabor (Hungary) 4-1
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Victor Corrapcevschi (Moldova) 0-5
Last 16
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Gregor Skranec (Slovenia) RSC2
September 29
Finals
56kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Lacramioara Perijoc (Romania)
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Juliia Tsyplakova (Ukraine)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Maria Borei (Romania)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Onela Nane (Romania)
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) v Paul Aradoaie (Romania)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v Serhi Horskov (Ukraine)
Irish squad
Male
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)
Female
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan/Virginia)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monktown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys)
69kg Gráinne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)
Coaches
Zauri Antia
John Conlan
Tom Murray
Team Manager
Eugene O’Kane
Physio
Séamus Caffrey
R&J
Loughlin Gannon