Two more Irish fighters move into medal contention at EU Championships
Two more Irish boxers booked their places in the quarter finals of the EU Championships today in Cascia.
Monaghan feather Dervla Duffy and Belfast light fly Kristina O’Hara both scored unanimous decision Last 16 wins in Italy, however there was disappointment for Carly McNaul who was edged out on a split.
St John Bosco’s O’Hara was comfortable against Finnish southpaw Satu Lehtonen, countering the come-forward Scandanavian at will and landing soe big backhand rights.
Making her Elite International tournament debut, flyweight McNaul put in a huge performance against Frenchwoman Wassila Lkhadiri, a European bronze medalist. The Ormeau Road fighter looked to be the physically stronger of the two throughout a hugely entertaining nine minutes, but was edged on the cards by the experienced Gaul.
Mulhuddart’s Duffy then rounded off the day with a comprehensive win over young Hungarian Kinga Mezovari, overwhelming the Magyar to reach the last eight.
Both Duffy and O’Hara will now box to guarantee bronze during the week.
European Union Women’s Championships Cascia, Italy August 4th/13th
August 5th
Last 16
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Ebonie Jones (England) 5-0
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Kinga Szalachcic (Poland) 4-1
August 6th
Last 16
48kg Kristina O’Hara (Ireland) beat Saru Lehtonen (Finland) 5-0
51kg Carly McNaul (Ireland) lost to Wassila Lkhadiri (France) split
57kg Dervla Duffy (Ireland) beat Kinga Mezovari (Hungary) 5-0
August 7th
Last 16
69kg Gráinne Walsh (Ireland) v Louise Price (Wales)
August 8th
Q/Finals
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Julia Coroli (Moldova)
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Ditteajaaja Frostholm (Denmark)
75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) v Nouchka Fontijn (Netherlands)
Irish squad
48kg Kristina O’Hara (St John Bosco)
51kg Carly McNaul (Ormeau Road)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown Antrim)
57kg Dervla Duffy (Mulhuddart)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
Team Manager/High Performance Director: Bernard Dunne
Coaches: Dmitry Dimitruc and Jimmy Payne
Physio: Maureen Harte
R&J: Jim Murrin
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish
