Heart-splitting finals defeats for Anthony Johnston and Kane Tucker at Commonwealth Youths
There was no joy today for the two Irish in the finals of the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Newry middleweight Kane Tucker and Belfast welter Anthony Johnston were both in finals bouts against English opposition in the Bahamas, and both fell to split decision losses.
Johnston was defeated in a tactical affair with Mark Dickinson, while Aaron Bowen prevailed after a war with Tucker.
Johnston had scored a stunning knockout against Jamaican Jerone Ennis last night, but was forced to settle for silver here.
In an extremely close and cagey fight, Dickinson was given the nod on a split decision over the Gleann southpaw.
Tucker and Bowen had the whole auditorium on their feet as the bout exploded into a war at the end of the first and did not let up.
Holy Trinity fighter Tucker was having huge success with the left hook, but the it was busy Bowen who edged it on the cards.
The talented six man Northern Ireland team will bring home a total of four medals: bronze for John Moran and Colm Murphy, and silvers for Johnston and Tucker.
Commonwealth Youth Games VI, Bahamas
Wednesday July 19th
(L16) 60kg – Dominic Bradley lost to Rhys Edwards (Wales) 2-3
(L16) 56kg – Colm Murphy beat Ahmed Faraz (Scotland) 5-0
Thursday July 20th
(QF) 49kg – John Moran beat Seanoa Hall (Samoa) 5-0
(QF) 56kg – Colm Murphy beat Sean Finnigan (Canada) 5-0
(QF) 75kg – Kane Tucker beat Reekie Ryan (Scotland) 4-1
Friday July 21th
(QF) 52kg – Kian Bittles lost to Allicock Keevin (Guyana) 1-4
(QF) 69kg – Anthony Johnston beat Ah Tong Marion (Samoa) 5-0
Saturday July 22nd
(SF) 49kg – John Moran lost to James Probert (Wales) 0-5
(SF) 56kg – Colm Murphy lost to Joshua Fitzpatrick (Australia) 2-3
(SF) 75kg – Kane Tucker v Satwinder Thind (Canada) 5-0
(SF) 69kg – Anthony Johnston v Jerone Ennis (Jamaica) TKO3
Sunday July 23rd
(F) 69kg – Anthony Johnston lost to Mark Dickinson (England) split
(F) 75kg – Kane Tucker lost to Aaron Bowen (England) split
Northern Ireland Team
49kg – John Moran (Illies GG) (Bronze)
52kg – Kian Bittles (Holy Trinity)
56kg – Colm Murphy (St George’s) (Bronze)
60kg – Dominic Bradley (captain) (Errigal)
69kg – Anthony Johnston (Gleann) (Silver)
75kg – Kane Tucker (Holy Trinity) (Silver)
