Medal Alert – Four Kings Prince Tadhg O’Donnell wins European bronze at least

The Prince of Four Kings Boxing Club, Tadhg O’Donnell took a big step toward being crowned King of Europe this afternoon.

The talented puncher ensured he will return from Italy later this week as a European medal winner, having secured bronze at least with victory in Montesilvano.

Having defeated Cyrpus and England’s 66kg representatives in previous rounds the Wicklow man was faced with an Armenian test on a busy Saturday for Irish boxing.

It was a test he aced, as he strutted onto the podium via a unanimous decision. The emerging talent beat Agrishti Hakobyan in every round to become a European Junior medallist.

The win means Ireland have won seven medals at least in Italy with O’Donnell joining Grace Conway, Niamh Keogh, Ava Henry, Sophie Gray, Alfie Jordan and Mary McDonagh on the podium.

O’Donnell found his range first in what was a tentative enough first round. The Four Kings fighter began to figure out his southpaw opponent as the round progressed and was able to take the stanza on all five cards without having to over-exert himself as a result.

The Greystones fighter continued to make it look easy in the second against an Armenia who wanted to counter punch. The Irish fighter dictated the pace and won the round without really shipping a shot of note or having to go through the gears.

Indeed, so impressive was he one judge scored the round 10-8 in his favour. With one foot on the podium, O’Donnell only had to avoid a stoppage in the third to secure a medal. He opted against a safety first approach, electing instead to put on a mini show and upped the tempo, displaying his class in the process.

Previously today Alfie Jordan claimed bronze and Calvin Doyle was unfortunate to come out the wrong side of a tight and tense battle with Mihal Daniel Irofte of Romania.

Heavyweight Adam Olaniyan is in action next he meets home boxer Vincenzo Guida in the last Irish interest bout of the afternoon session.

In Ring A’s evening session, light fly Jamie Collins is second between the ropes, he boxes Serbia’s Admir Kamensnicanin for a medal. Four bouts later, feather Callum Carragher boxes for a medal against Azerbaijan’s Mahammadali Gasimzade.

Over in Ring B, light bantam John Harty is in action in Bout 4, against Greece’s Kostantinos Sarigiannidis and light welter, Cillian Reilly Lennon meets Armenia’s Marat Mikaelyan.

Team Ireland Squad

Male Boxers:

1. 44-46kg Alfie Jordan (Olympic L)

2. 48kg Jamie Collins (Drimnagh)

3. 50kg Calvin Doyle (Olympic L)

4. 52kg Johnny Harty (Portlaoise)

5. 54kg James Kelly (Holy Trinity)

6. 57kg Callum Carrager (Tredagh)

7. 60kg Ryan Jenkins (Olympic L)

8. 63kg Cillian Reilly (Jobstown)

9. 66kg Tadhg O’Donnell (Four Kings)

10. 70kg Charlie Valbergs (Cherry Orchard). Team Captain

11. 75kg Dylan McShane (St Pauls A)

12. 80kg Jack Teggart Weatherall (St Pauls A)

13. 80+kg Adam Olaniyan (Jobstown)

Female Boxers

1. 44-46kg Sophie Curley Gray (Dealgan)

2. 50kg Grace Conway (Tredagh)

3. 52kg Carlagh Peake (Ballyhaunis)

4. 54kg Niamh Keogh (Olympic L)

5. 57kg Siofra Lawless (Liberty)

6. 60kg Ava Henry (Docklands) Team Captain,

7. 63kg Kayleigh Whelan (Avona)

8. 66kg Sarah Murphy (St Brigids L)

9. 70kg Jodie Byrne (St Teresa’s)

10. 75kg Mary McDonagh (Sliabh Luachra)

11. 80kg Shauna Crehan (Dunboyne)

Team Manager

Martin Fennessy

Coaches

1. Ralph McKay

2. Liam Cunningham

3. Paul O’Toole

4. Linda Morgan

Referee/Judge

Philip Hollowed