Dean Walsh wins brilliant bronze in Bulgaria

Wexford light welterweight, Dean Walsh, has won his quarter final at the 41st European Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria. As a result, Walsh has guaranteed himself a first major international medal at the third time of asking. Having been on the wrong end of controversial decisions at the 2014 EUs and 2015 Euro Games, Walsh was not to be denied again and the 21 year old ousted Georgian Nyeki of Hungary in a close bout.

The St. Ibar’s/St. Joseph’s man approached the fight trying to outbox his Hungarian opponent – and, mostly, this proved a winning approach. Nyeki was always dangerous and kept coming forward but, bar a few overhands, he landed little against the slick yellowbelly.

Walsh showed brilliant grit throughout to stick to his boxing and avoid being goaded into a fight by the heavy-hitting, East European slugger.

Walsh, who has now also qualified for the World Championships in Qatar this August, will face Russian number two seed, Vitaly Dunaytsev, in the semi finals on Friday afternoon as he looks to guarantee a silver medal. Walsh will have happy memories of fighting Russian opponents having defeated Maxim Dadashev in the European Games back in June.