Medal Alert – Three and easy as John Harty wins European medal in style
John Harty danced his way onto the European Championship podium in Italy today.
The Portlaoise fighter won European Championships bronze at the very least as he whitewashed game Greek fighter Kostantinos Sarigiannidis.
Harty dominated from start to finish to win the quarter-final and add to Ireland’s impressive medal tally.
The hit-and-move specialist won every round on every card to progress to the last four via unanimous decision.
The win means Ireland have now won nine medals at least in Italy with Harty joining Grace Conway, Niamh Keogh, Ava Henry, Sophie Gray, Alfie Jordan, Tadhg O’Donnell, Jamie Collins, and Mary McDonagh on the podium.
Harty fought beautifully long from the off, picking beautifully placed and timed shots off the back foot to win the first on all five judge’s cards.
The Greek fighter continued to press in the second but Harty, the latest southpaw out of Limerick, was able to pick him off and proved another Irish master of the cheek hook.
The Laois fighter once again won the round across the board to all but put the medal in his pocket. All Harty had to do in the final round was to dance and dance he did but not without letting stinging shots go to ensure a whitewash win.
Team Ireland Squad
Male Boxers:
1. 44-46kg Alfie Jordan (Olympic L)
2. 48kg Jamie Collins (Drimnagh)
3. 50kg Calvin Doyle (Olympic L)
4. 52kg Johnny Harty (Portlaoise)
5. 54kg James Kelly (Holy Trinity)
6. 57kg Callum Carrager (Tredagh)
7. 60kg Ryan Jenkins (Olympic L)
8. 63kg Cillian Reilly (Jobstown)
9. 66kg Tadhg O’Donnell (Four Kings)
10. 70kg Charlie Valbergs (Cherry Orchard). Team Captain
11. 75kg Dylan McShane (St Pauls A)
12. 80kg Jack Teggart Weatherall (St Pauls A)
13. 80+kg Adam Olaniyan (Jobstown)
Female Boxers
1. 44-46kg Sophie Curley Gray (Dealgan)
2. 50kg Grace Conway (Tredagh)
3. 52kg Carlagh Peake (Ballyhaunis)
4. 54kg Niamh Keogh (Olympic L)
5. 57kg Siofra Lawless (Liberty)
6. 60kg Ava Henry (Docklands) Team Captain,
7. 63kg Kayleigh Whelan (Avona)
8. 66kg Sarah Murphy (St Brigids L)
9. 70kg Jodie Byrne (St Teresa’s)
10. 75kg Mary McDonagh (Sliabh Luachra)
11. 80kg Shauna Crehan (Dunboyne)
Team Manager
Martin Fennessy
Coaches
1. Ralph McKay
2. Liam Cunningham
3. Paul O’Toole
4. Linda Morgan
Referee/Judge
Philip Holl
