Nevin and Molloy get Ireland off to perfect Euro Games start

Laois middleweight Michael Nevin and Galway welter Kieran Molloy got Ireland off to a winning start at the 2nd European Games in Minsk, Belarus today.

Nevin beat England’s Mark Dickenson on a 3-2 split decision and Molloy followed that up with a unanimous verdict over Northern Macedonia’s Goce Janeski.

Dickenson, like Nevin a former European Youth champion, edged the first round this afternoon, but the Portlaoise BC man took the second and third frames to secure victory over the Commonwealth Youth gold medallist.

“I had a slow start in the first round but in the second I came back strong. I just kept listening to the coach and our tactics worked. On to the next one,” said Nevin.

Bernard Dunne, IABA High-Performance Director, believes that Nevin will take a lot of confidence from the manner of today’s victory.

“He was very effective, very clever how he boxed. It was a great start for the team and a really good win against a very good opponent, said Dunne immediately after the Nevin versus Dickenson last 32 bout.

“Michael will grow after this, that win will give him a great boost.” Dunne also hailed Molloy’s performance this evening.

Molloy dominated from opening to closing bell to earn a 30-27 decision across the board.

“I feel great after that, it’s great to get the first one out of the way and I’m looking forward to the next one. I’m just going to get my recovery in now & then refocus for the next fight, said Molloy, pictured below with his dad Stephen after today’s victory.

Tony Browne, Regan Buckley, James McGivern and Nevin will be between the ropes tomorrow.

European Games 2019 Minsk, Belarus

June 22

Last 32

69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Goce Janeski (Northern Macedonia) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Mark Dickinson (Team GB) 3-2

June 23

Last 16

49kg Regan Buckley (Ireland) v Bator Sagalvev (Russia)
64kg James McGivern (Ireland) v Michael Takacs (Slovakia)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Kamran Sakhsauvarly (Azerbaijan)
91kg Anthony Browne (Ireland) v Dzemal Bosnjak (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Last 32

64kg James McGivern (Ireland) v Michael Takacs (Slovakia)

June 24

Last 16

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Zhirayr Saeqsyan (Armenia)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Lenuta Perijoc (Romania)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Yauheni Dauhaliavets (Belarus)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Rosie Eccles (Team GB)
91+kg Dean Gardiner (Ireland) v Mikheil Bakhtidze (Georgia)

June 25

Last 16

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Viktoryia Kebikava (Belarus)

June 26

Q/Finals

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Irma Testa (Italy) or Christina Rygielska (Moldova)

Irish squad

Female

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monsktown A)

60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys)

69kg Gráinne Walsh (Spartacus)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)

Male

49kg Regan Buckley (St Teresa’s)

56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)

64kg James McGivern (St George’s)

69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)

75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)

91kg Tony Browne (St Michael’s Dublin)

91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Team manager: Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zaur Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dimitruk