Mixed fortunes for Ireland in Euro Youth and Junior Championships

By Michael O’Neill

The opening day of the European Youth and Junior boxing championships in Keszthely on the banks of Lake Balaton in Hungary brought mixed results for the four girls representing Ireland in these championships.

In the Junior event, Chloe Callender and Shauna O’Callaghan got Ireland’s campaign off to a winning start with 15 years old Callender defeating one of the favourites, Italian champion Siria Cavell convincingly 3:0

It was a very mature performance from the young St Conleth’s College, Newbridge schoolgirl who was well on top throughout and thoroughly deserved her win.

Shauna O’Callaghan from the Clann Naofa club scored a highly impressive TKO2 victory over German champion Sabine Fiedler this afternoon and will be looking forward with confidence to the next bout, following today’s win.

In the Youth event, St.Brigid’s Edenderry pair  Saidbh Greene and Shannon Edge bowed out despite brave performances against Valeria Manchuk of the Ukraine,(who was adjudged to have beaten Amy Broadhurst in the 2014 European Youth final in Italy), and Adriana Jevozejzya of Poland. Both Irish girls put up brave fights against very tough opponents in Manchuk (0:3) and Jevozejzya(0:2) respectively.

Later, Chloe Callender spoke of her joy at  today’s win.  “I’m very pleased with my performance today but there’s always room for improvement and I fully intend to put my full effort into my next bouts; it’s an absolute honour to be representing Ireland, myself and all the team are in high spirits and I’d like to wish them all the best of luck and ‘Thank you everyone for your support’  – GO TEAM IRELAND!!!”

A reminder that Chloe won the Gold medal in the 48Kg category at the 2015 Golden Girl of Boras tournament in Sweden and was awarded the prestigious Best Junior Award beating all 11 countries represented including the Russian favourites. Indeed at that prestigious international tournament the Ryston Club also won the Best Team award .

Irish women’s boxing is proudly sponsored by QuickPark of Dublin Airport.

European Women’s Youth and Junior Championships:

August 16th

Preliminary Round:

Youth

54kg Saidbh Greene (Ireland) lost to Valeria Manchuk (Ukraine) 0-3

60kg Shannon Edge (Ireland) lost to Adrianna Jevozejzya (Poland) 0-2

Junior

46kg Chloe Callender (Ireland) beat Siria Cavell (Italy) 3-0

6okg Shauna O’Callaghan (Ireland) beat Sabine Fiedler (Germany) TKO2