MEDAL ALERT- Going for gold- Michaela Walsh gets revenge semi final win

Michaela Walsh is one win away from a European Games gold medal.

The Belfast feather upgraded her bronze to silver as she opened a massive day for Irish boxing with a brilliant win.

Walsh beat Russian opponent Daria Abramova on a split decision to progress to the decider.

The 3-2 split victory see’s the Monkstown fighter overturn her 2018 European Elite semi-final defeat to the Russian.

Abramova shaded the pairs meeting last year with a 3-2 split win en route to gold in Sofia.

YEEESSSSS!!!

Michaela Walsh is through to the final!!!

Guaranteed a silver, going for Gold! #TeamIreland #Minsk2019 pic.twitter.com/B1F9IPilQo

— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 28, 2019

The win patient and composed victory now means Walsh, who beat the reigning world champion at the quarterfinal stage, is adds Euro Games silver (at least) to the European Union, two Commonwealth and  European Championship’s medals she already has on her mantle piece. 

Five more Irish fighters will hope to follow Walsh’s lead and progress to the final as they compete in last four action today.

Irish captain Kelly Harrington, Regan Buckley, Kurt Walker, Grainne Walsh and Michael Nevin are between the ropes looking to upgrade their guaranteed bronze to at least silver.

Walsh is up next as she takes on Karolina Koszewska of Poland.

 

European Games 2019 Minsk, Belarus

June 28

S/Finals

49kg Regan Buckley (Ireland) v Artur Hovannisyan (Armenia) (6.15pm)
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Peter McGrail (Team GB) (6.30pm)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Daria Abramova (Russia) (12pm)
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Agnes Alexiusson (Sweden) (5pm)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Karolina Koszewska (Poland) (12.45pm)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Salavtore Cavallaro (Italy) (7.45pm)

Irish squad

Female

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monsktown A) (Bronze, at least)

60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys) (Bronze, at least)

69kg Gráinne Walsh (Spartacus) (Bronze, at least)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)

Male

49kg Regan Buckley (St Teresa’s) (Bronze, at least)

56kg Kurt Walker (Canal) (Bronze, at least)

64kg James McGivern (St George’s)

69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)

75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise) (Bronze, at least)

91kg Tony Browne (St Michael’s Dublin)

91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Team manager: Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zaur Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dimitruk