Donoghue produces a counter punch masterclass to progress to Euro Youth quarter finals
By IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill
Willie Donoghue booked his ticket into the quarter-finals of the European Youth Championships in Kolobrzeg, Poland this afternoon.
The St Michael’s Athy flyweight, an ex AIBA World Junior champion, convincingly beat Bulgaria’s Kiril Rusinov on a unanimous decision.
“It was a masterclass in counter-punching from Willie,” said Irish team manager Brian Wallace.
In the afternoon session, Donoghue’s St Michael’s Athy team mate John Joyce advanced after beating Anton Stselmakhau of Belarus in the 75kg class.
But Cormac Long bowed out despite a big performance.
Joyce dominated in terms of cleaner punches landed, the Irish champion sending his durable opponent back into the ropes at the end of the first with a sweeping right.
The right hook proved to be one of Joyce’s best punches today, although the St Michael’s Athy BC middle also worked well to the body both hands in each of the three rounds en route to his second win in 24 hours.
Long was in against Stselmakhau’s compatriot Aleksandr Khalayeu but lost on a unanimous
European Youth Championships, Kolobrzeg, Poland
November 21st
75kg John Joyce (Ireland) beat Andreas Kayzourakis (Greece) 3-0
November 22nd (Last 16)
1pm session (Irish time)
52kg Willie Donoghue (Ireland) beat Kiril Rusinov (Bulgaria) 3-0
75kg John Joyce (Ireland) beat Anton Stselmakhau (Belarus) 3-0
81kg Cormac Long (Ireland) lost to Aleksandr Khalayeu (Belarus) 0-3
November 23rd
56kg Frankie Cleary (Ireland) v Sandor Tar (Hungary) (Last 16)
69kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Heorhi Varashylau (Belarus) (Last 32)
November 24th (Last 16)
60kg James Mc Givern (Ireland) v Rasmus Bergman (Finland)
64kg Adam Kelly (Ireland) v Artur Prygoga (Ukraine)
November 25th
49kg Stephen McKenna (Ireland) v Deiv Puodziunas (Lithuania) (Last 8)
52kg Willie Donoghue (Ireland) v Adniry Tyshkovets (Ukraine) or Adam Pluskowski (Poland) (Last 8)
60kg James Mc Givern (Ireland) v Rasmus Bergman (Finland) (Last 16)
Irish Squad
49kg Stephen McKenna (Old School)
52kg Willie Donoghue (St Michael’s Athy)
56kg Frankie Cleary (Olympic) cpt
60kg James McGivern (St Georges)
64kg Adam Kelly (Ballynacargy)
69kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
75kg John Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)
81kg Cormac Long (Rathkeale)
Team Manager: Brian Wallace
Coaches: John Conlan, Dmitry Dmitruk, Michael Mongan
R&J: Sadie Duffy
