MEDAL ALERT – Sensational Lisa O’Rourke Secures Stoppage and European Medal
A sensational statement stoppage win saw Lisa O’Rourke return to the European U22 podium today.
The Castlerea native strutted her stuff in spiteful style in Sofia to win European U22 66kg bronze at least.
The 2022 World Championship gold medal winner had way too much by way of skill, speed, accuracy, and power for Anastasija Lukajic. The Roscommon sporting star bossed the first round and was handed victory before the second had ended, thanks to three standing eight counts.
The win means O’Rourke is now a two-time European U22 medal winner and the performance was as such the Connacht native will be fancied to improve the colour come Thursday. The victory was Ireland’s third of the day and means Team Ireland will come home with at least three medals.
O’Rourke looked sharp and explosive from the second the first bell chimed. The Castlerea woman quite literally had a spring in her step and sting in her shots. The 2022 World Champion was up on her toes, scoring with a solid jab, check hooking Team Ireland style and hurting her foe with right hands.
Indeed, come the the final minute of the opening frame O’Rourke was pressing forward in search of a stoppage.
The dominance continued into the second with a sensational O’Rourke showing complete superiority. Luckajic couldn’t live with the Irish star’s athleticism or accuracy and found herself looking at the referee while he counted to eight after a chopping right hand shook her knees.
An onslaught soon after forced the referee to step in yet again before he temporarily called a halt to proceedings for a third time with just seconds remaining in the second, prompting him to permanently stop the fight and hand the Irish boxer the win.
Earlier in the session a battling Kaci Rock was outpointed by the wild and awkward Kitija Zarberga and Bethany Doocey lost out to Greek opposition.
There was mixed fortunes in the afternoon session with Carleigh Irving and Robyn Kelly both stepping onto the podium and Niamh Fay losing out to Sthelyne Grossy in the most entertaining quarter final of the session.
Team Ireland
48kg Carleigh Irving, Oakleaf Boxing Club
54kg Robyn Kelly, Ballynacargy Boxing Club
57kg Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal Boxing Club
63kg Linda Desmond, Rylane Boxing Club
66kg Kaci Rock, Enniskerry Boxing Club
70kg Lisa O’Rourke, Castlerea Boxing Club
75kg Bethany Dooecy, Castlebar Boxing Club
48kg Louis Rooney, Star Boxing Club
51kg Clepson dos Santos, Holy Trinity ABC
54kg Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC Mullingar
57kg Gavin Ryan, Ratoath Golden Gloves Boxing Club
63.5kg Roy Colgan, Avona Boxing Club
67kg Luke Hall, Olympic Boxing Club Mullingar
71kg Bobbi Flood, Cabra Boxing Club
75kg Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown Boxing Club
80kg James Whelan, Dublin Docklands Boxing Club
86kg Kian Hedderman, St. Francis Boxing Club
92+kg Martin McDonagh, Galway Boxing Club
Support Staff
Team Manager: Sean Crowley
Head Coach: Eoin Puck
Coach: Lynne McEnery
Coach: Damian Kennedy
Coach: Jay Delaney
Coach Mentor: Zauri Antia
Physiotherapist: Ceire Smith
R&J: Mal Scott
