Amy Broadhurst wins European under-22 GOLD for Ireland

Amy Broadhurst has won a gold medal for Ireland at the European U22 Championships in Romania.

The Dundalk lightweight defeated Francesca Martusciello in Targu Jiu this afternoon to be crowned champion at 60kg.

Her third win this week, Broadhurst overpowered her Italian opponent to take a unanimous decision in a very competitive fight.

The recent National Elite Senior runner-up had defeated the same opponent in the final of the 2015 European Youths on a 2-0-1 decision and got the nod again today in a close clash.

Broadhurst began on the front foot, with the Italian staying well out of range. Martusciello did land a few cute counters but was being outworked by the Irishwoman.

Martusciello stepped it up in the second, leading to some messy encounters with southpaw Broadhurst in a tighter round perhaps edged by the Italian in blue.

WIth it, perhaps, all to play for in the final round, a slugfest ensued. Martusciello was the slightly busier, however, the better, heavier shots were coming from Broadhurst who was timing the backhand left well, especially in the final 30 seconds.

Neither boxer celebrated with much vigour and, with the result far from certain, it went to the cards. A unanimous decision was called and Broadhurst was confirmed the victor.

The Louth fighter attempted a lap of honour with the tricolour – but, with a tight time schedule, it was swiftly taken from her by the referee. A medal ceremony will take place shortly.

A European gold medalist at Youth and Junior level – as well as being a European Youth silver and EU Youth gold medalist – Broadhurst has added a fifth major underage international medal and become the second Irish fighter to take top prize at the continental under-22s following Jason Quigley back in 2012.

Roscommon middleweight Aoife O’Rourke will hope to join Broadhurst atop the podium in Eastern Europe after 5:00pm today. She faces world class Turkish fighter Busenaz Surmeneli in the 75kg decider.