Ciara Ginty had to settle for silver at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China today.
The Mayo lightweight was beaten in 60kg final by Jajaira Gonzalez of the USA.
The Californian, the current AIBA World Youth champion, earned a unanimous decision over the current AIBA World Junior champion over four, two minute rounds.
Gonzalez piled on the pressure from the opening bell and maintained that pressure throughout the four frames this morning (Irish time).
Ginty, flicking out her left jab and following up with solid backhands, had a good start to the second and third rounds, but, ultimately, Gonzalez’s ability to consistently work her way inside the longer reach of her opponent and deliver off both hands decided this contest.
The final scores were 40-36,40-35,40-33 to the talented American, who won AIBA World Junior gold on the same day as Ginty in Bulgaria in 2013.
It was a brave performance from the Connaught champion today, and she can reflect on the fact that she is the first Irish female boxer to compete in an Olympic Youth bout and the first Irish female boxer to win an Olympic Youth medal. She’s also the only Irish boxer besides Ryan Burnett in 2010 to reach an Olympic Youth final.
Today’s 60kg decider brings the curtain down on Ireland’s competitive involvement in the boxing event at the 2nd edition of the Games. Ginty was presented with her silver medal this morning. Sweden’s Agnes Alexiusson won the bronze medal in the lightweight division.
Ginty will be bringing home silver and Michael Gallagher bronze. Christina Desmond finished in 4th spot in the middleweight class.
Gallagher will be presented with his bronze medal at the men’s finals tomorrow.
Irish team manager Stephen Connolly, speaking after today’s final, praised Ginty’s performance and also hailed the contributions of Irish coach Billy McClean, who is working Ireland’s corner in Nanjing, Irish coach Gerry Storey, Ginty’s coach at the Geesala BC, Pat McDonagh, who was at ringside today cheering on the Olympic Youth silver medallist, Conor Quigley, coach at the Finn Valley BC in Donegal, who now, courtesy of Michael Gallagher, have an Olympic Youth bronze medal and Tom Power and John Casey, who coach Christina Desmond at the Macroom BC in Cork
Youth Olympics Nanjing, China
August 23rd
Q/Finals
F60kg Ciara Ginty (Ireland) beat Monica Floridia (Italy) 3-0
M91kg Michael Gallagher (Ireland) beat Maksim Kazlou (Belarus) 3-0
August 24th
S/Finals
F60kg Ciara Ginty (Ireland) beat Esra Yildiz (Turkey) 2-0
F75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) lost to Chen Nien Chin (Chinese Taipei) 0-3
M91kg Michael Gallagher (Ireland) lost to Yordan Hernandez (Cuba) 0-3
August 25th
Bronze medal Box-off
F75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) lost to Caitlin Parker (Australia) 0-3
M91kg Michael Gallagher (Ireland) beat Kim Jin-Nyong (Korea) 3-0
August 26th
Final
F60kg Ciara Ginty (Ireland) lost to Jajaira Gonzalez (USA) 0-3
Irish squad
60kg Ciara Ginty (Geesala) (Silver)
75kg Christina Desmond (Macroom) (4th position)
91kg Michael Gallagher (Finn Valley) (Bronze)
Team Manager: Stephen Connelly
Coach: Billy McClean
