Team Ireland claimed three wins from four bouts on the opening day of the European U19 Championships in Loznica, Serbia.
Kayleigh Byrne got the team’s campaign off to a flying start. She was the unanimous decision winner over Turkey’s Kubra Cicek in her 51kg Last 16 contest, winning her rounds 3-2, 5-0 and 5-0. Her opponent suffered a point deduction in Round 2 and judges scored the bout 30:26; 30: 26; 30:26; 29: 27; 27. Kayleigh, of Gorey BC Wexford, is back in action on Monday, and boxes for a medal against the winner of the meeting of Germany and Ukraine.
Grace Bailey has won through to the quarter finals – She was the decisive UD winner over Italy’s Swami Ferdinandi in their 65kg Last 16 contest. Grace, of Castlebar BC, Mayo, came away with the decision 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 25:30; 27:30. She’s back in action on Monday, boxing for a medal against England’s Rihanna Holden.
Kalib Walsh has claimed a European U19 Championship debut win. He contested against Israel’s Ilai Avraham and was a very stylish 5-0 winner on a scoreline of 30:26; 30:27; 30:27; 30:37; 30:27. Kalib, of Wexford CBS, is between the ropes again on Sunday, when he contests is Last 16 bout against Tarik Huric of Bosnia & Herzegovina
A valiant performance by 85kg Sean Doohan – He went toe-to-toe against Samuel Montano of Spain in his Last 32 contest in Loznica, and contesting a strong first round, winning the third 4-1. The unanimous decision went to Montano. Judges scored the bout 28:29; 28:29; 28:29; 28:29; 27:30. Sean can be proud of his performance and will grow from this experience.
354 boxers from 36 nations will compete in Loznica, Serbia. The participating nations are: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.
The complete Men’s Draw is available HERE and the complete Women’s Draw is available HERE
Team Ireland is led and managed by Jennifer O’Sullivan-Coffey of Sliabh Luachra and Bernie Curran of St. John Bosco, Newry. The team is coached by Eoin Pluck, Val Hamilton of St. Francis BC, Ralph McKay of St. Paul’s BC Antrim, Sean Crowley of Erne BC. The R&J is Stephen Kelly.
Day Two
Three Team Ireland boxers are in action on Friday.
Jason Donoghue, boxing at 65kg, is first up. He’s in Last 32 action against Slovakia’s Sebastian Chocholacek in Bout 1 of Ring A’s Afternoon Session. His brother, John, contesting at 70kg, makes his tournament debut against Azerbaijan’s Rza Rzayev in Bout 11 of the same ring and session. That’s a Last 32 bout.
75kg Jason Whelan makes his tournament debut in Ring B’s Evening Session, at Last 32 stage. He’s contesting against Tomas Kupil of Slovakia in Bout 9.
Watch
The Serbia Boxing Federation is live-streaming the championships on its YouTube channel, here. Links, per ring, are published on the day of boxing.
Competition Schedule
Boxing will take place, daily, from August 12th to 18th. August 19th is a rest day – all semi finals will be boxed on Thursday, August 20th. All finals will take place on Friday, August 21st.
Afternoon Sessions will begin at 1pm, Irish time, while Evening Sessions will start at 4:30pm with the exception of the second Finals session on August 21st, which will get underway at 7pm.
Team Ireland
48kg Louise Joyce, Olympic BC Mullingar
50kg Kristian Jubani, Crumlin BC, Dublin
51kg Kayleigh Byrne, Gorey BC, Wexford
54kg Carly O’ Herron, Rochfortbridge BC, Westmeath
55kg Lee Largey Snodden, Immaculata BC, Belfast
57kg Leah Moore, Cabra BC, Dublin
60kg Kalib Walshe, CBS Wexford
65kg Grace Bailey, Castlebar BC, Mayo
65kg Jason Donoghue, Olympic BC Mullingar
70kg John Donoghue, Olympic BC Mullingar
70kg Kaysie Joyce, Clonmel BC, Tipperary
75kg Jason Whelan, Dublin Docklands
85kg Sean Doohan, Dunfanaghy BC, Donegal
Support Staff
Team Managers: Jennifer O’Sullivan-Coffey of Sliabh Luachra and Bernie Curran of St. John Bosco, Newry.
Coaches: Eoin Pluck, Val Hamilton of St. Francis BC, Ralph McKay of St. Paul’s BC Antrim, Sean Crowley of Erne BC.
R&J Stephen Kelly