O’Reilly – ‘No use crying over spilt milk, I’ve to win the Seniors now and get to Rio’

European Games gold medalist Michael O’Reilly showed why he is regarded as one of the best middleweights in the World with a comprehensive win over Johnny Joyce in the semi-finals of the National Elite Championships last night.

The Portlaoise star scored a unanimous victory win over the underage stand-out. Following the victory, O’Reilly had some kind words for the European Youth Championships bronze medalists, reasoning that “ah he’s not too bad, I just think he stepped up the ladder a bit too fast.”

“If he stays doing what he’s doing he should be alright”

The 22 year old is now fully focused on Friday’s final against Conor Wallace, and is aiming for a win and a trip to Turkey for the Olympic qualifiers. O’Reilly explained that “this is what it’s all about now, get over this last hurdle.”

“There’s two qualifiers now after Christmas, one in April then one not to long after that”

“This is a tournament you have to win, I’m starting back from scratch here, win these and then onto the qualifiers.”

“I’m very very confident going into the final.”

Indeed, O’Reilly would have been forgiven if he was disheartened following his Olympic play-off loss to Hosam Abdin of Egypt, a fight most felt he won. However, the mature southpaw argues that “there’s nothing I can do, or anyone can do.”

“No use crying over spilt milk, I need to get back to my best and start over from scratch.”