Harty wins gold in European’s Ireland also collect silver and two bronze
Jason Harty was crowned European Junior champion in Lviv, Ukraine this afternoon.
But Jim O’Reilly had to settle for 80kg silver are losing out in the light-heavy decider to Arkadii Kartsan of the Ukraine.
Harty (Rathkeale BC, Limerick) beat Poland’s Eryk Apresyan on a unanimous decision to finish on top of the light-welter podium.
“It was a brilliant and very technical performances from Jason, said Irish team manager Stephen Connolly.
“The coaches sat down this morning and worked out the tactics and it went accordingly and we’re delighted with the gold medal.
Overall, we’re happy with the medals, but it could have been more because the decision against Lorcan Hurley yesterday was very poor. All of the team gave it everything this week and the coaching staff have done a tremendous job.”
Harty, a silver medalist at the 2013 European Schoolboy Championships, earned his gold the hard way.
Apresyan was certainly a game opponent, who came forward at every opportunity.
He was probably edging the exchanges in the first half of the opening round, but Harty showed his ring craft and shot selection – two uppercuts off both hands near the end of the second were probably the pick of his punches – en route to securing a European title for his country.
The third frame was tight also, Apresyan pouring forward, Harty replying with slick counters. The three-rounder ended up in a tangle in the Irish corner. Irish coach Billy McClean gave Harty a hug and a pat on the head and he returned to the centre of the ring to deservedly have his hand raised in triumph.
O’Reilly, seeking to become the second Portlaoise BC athlete to win European Junior gold since Michael Nevin in 2014, finished the opening round of today’s final with Arkadii Kartsan on the front foot, three solid right finding the target approaching the bell.
But the technical Ukrainian southpaw began using his jab and hooks to greater effect in the second. O’Reilly finished the third and final frame going all out for victory, but Kartsan was not going to be denied on the day.
“Jim was in against a very good opponent and we have no complaints. He can be very proud of his performances out here He’s had a fabulous tournament. It was a very good display from Jason in a close fight with the Polish lad and we’re delighted to get the gold, said Irish coach Billy McClean.
“The entire squad performed well in the face of a tough draw. We’ve also had some terrible decisions against us this week, particularly the decision that went against Lorcan Hurley. We’re happy with the four medals.”
McClean, Gerry McDaid and Dmitri Dmitruk were working Ireland’s corner in Lviv.
Harty (gold), O’Reilly (silver), Anthony Johnston (bronze) and Lorcan Hurley (bronze) finished in podium position in Lviv to a ensure a high finish in the medals table for Ireland.
The Irish squad won 15 of their 27 bouts at the 19th edition of the European Junior Championships.
Team Ireland are due to arrive home via Dublin Airport at 1:35pm tomorrow afternoon, May 24th (Terminal 2).
2015 European Junior Championships Lviv, Ukraine
May 16th Prelims
57kg Eric Nash (Ireland) beat Guiseppe Ferik (Italy) 2-1
May 17th Prelims
48kg Lorcan Hurley (Ireland) beat Tony Orr (Scotland) 3-0
63kg Aaron Gethins (Ireland) beat Catalin Bitcha (Moldova) 3-0
69kg Jordan Myers (Ireland) lost to Yahor Skamavakh (Belarus) 0-3
75kg Anthony Johnston (Ireland) beat William Gustafsson (Sweden) 3-0
80kg Jim O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Jess Harris (England) 3-0
80+kg Martin McDonagh (Ireland) beat Josip Biletic (Croatia) 2-1
May 18th (12pm)
46kg Zach Mallon (Ireland) lost to Kanan Avilev (Azerbaijan) 1-2
50kg Sean Whelan (Ireland) beat Vzdzim Nenadavets (Belarus) 3-0
52kg Aaron McKenna (Ireland) lost to Taras Bandarachuk (Ukraine) 0-3
May 18th (4pm)
54kg Callum Bradley (Ireland) lost to Artur Szachbazian (Czech Rep) 0-3
60kg Michael Avetisian (Ireland) lost to Tugrulhan Erdemr (Turkey) 0-3
May 19th
Q/Finals
48k Lorcan Hurley (Ireland) beat Pasquale di Silvio (Italy) 3-0
Last 16
57kg Eric Nash (Ireland) lost to Artur Tuniev (Belarus) 0-3
66kg Jason Harty (Ireland) beat Yevhen Moskalenko (Ukraine) 3-0
May 20th
Q/Finals
50kg Sean Whelan (Ireland) lost to Thomas Roberts (England) 0-3
63kg Aaron Gethins (Ireland) lost to Artem Lapin (Ukraine) 0-3
66kg Jason Harty (Ireland) beat Daniel Levin (Israel) 3-0
75kg Anthony Johnston (Ireland) beat Yevheni Pavlowskyi (Ukraine) 3-0
80kg Jim O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Vadzim Andreyev (Belarus) 2-1
80+kg Martin McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Oleksandr Hrytsiv (Ukraine) 0-3
May 22nd
S/Finals
48kg Lorcan Hurley (Ireland) lost to Javid Huseynov (Azerbaijan) 1-2
66kg Jason Harty (Ireland) beat Alen Kastsiukouski (Belarus) 2-1
75kg Anthony Johnston (Ireland) lost to Oronzo Birardi (Germany) 1-2
80kg Jim O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Matej Uremovic (Croatia) 3-0
May 23rd
66kg Jason Harty (Ieland) beat Eryk Apresyan (Poland) 3-0
80kg Jim O’Reilly (Ireland) lost to Arkadii Kartsan (Ukraine) 0-3
Irish squad
46kg Zach Mallon (Old School)
48kg Lorcan Hurley (Tramore) (Bronze)
50kg Sean Whelan (Docklands)
52kg Aaron McKenna (Old School)
54kg Callum Bradley (Sacred Heart Omagh)
57kg Eric Nash (Ardnaree)
60kg Michael Avetisian (Mulhuddart)
63kg Aaron Gethins (Ballinacarrow)
66kg Jason Harty (Rathkeale) (Gold)
70kg Jordan Myers (St Pats, Dromahair)
75kg Anthony Johnston (Gleann) (Bronze)
80kg Jim O’Reilly (Portlaoise) (Silver)
80+kg Martin McDonagh (Baldoyle)
Team manager: Stephen Connolly
Coaches: Billy McClean, Gerry McDaid, Dmitri Dmitruk
Physio: Eoin Naughton
R&J: Philip Rooney
