European Youth Day 1 Hat trick for Ireland

AIBA World Junior champion Willie Donoghue and Fergus Quinn completed a Day 1 hat-trick for Team Ireland at the 24th European Youth Championships in Zagreb, Croatia this evening.

Donoghue showed his class to subdue lively Serbian flyweight Sebastigan Sacrici and Quinn put in a big third round to complete the treble for the boys in green at the expense of Hungarian middleweight Bence Papi.

Earlier today, Galway lightweight James Cleary got Team Ireland off to a positive start with a victory over Asefi Soldimann.

Cleary took the first frame, but his German opponent responded well in the second. However, Cleary resumed finding the target with two and three-punch combinations in the final round to seal victory.

“We’re delighted with the three wins, said Irish coach Tom Hayes, who is working Ireland’s corner with Jim O’Neill in the Croatian capital.

“James boxed very well today and Willie dominated his bout. Fergus had a tough one again against the Hungarian lad, but he had a great third round.”

Team Ireland will be back in action again tomorrow. Sunday’s program has not yet been released.

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European Youth Championships 2014 Zagreb, Croatia

October 18th (Preliminaries)

52kg Willie Donoghue (Ireland) beat Sebastigan Sacrici (Serbia) 3-0

60kg James Cleary (Ireland) beat Asefi Soldimann (Germany) 3-0

75kg Fergus Quinn (Ireland) beat Bence Papi (Hungary) 3-0

Irish squad
49kg Darryl Moran (Illies GG)
52kg Willie Donoghue (St Michael’s Athy)
56kg Francis Cleary (Olympic)
60kg James Cleary (Olympics)
64kg Gary Cully (St David’s)
69kg John Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)
75kg Fergus Quinn (Camlough)
81kg Cormac Long (Rathkeale)
91kg James Hughes (Ryston)

Team manager: Sean Canavan
Coaches: Jim O’Neill and Tom Hayes.