Two wins for Ireland in European Youth Championships but shock loss for McGivern

There were two wins from three for Ireland on the opening day of action at the European Youth Championships in Anapa, Russia, yesterday.

Flyweight Terry McEntee and lightweight Oliver McCarthy claimed victory in their round of 32 bouts, but there was a highly controversial defeat for bantamweight James McGivern.

Cork’s McCarthy overcame Konrad Bialas of Poland and will now face Armenia’s Narek Ogannesyan in the next round.

McEntee, of the Old School club in Monaghan, defeated Ukrainan Mykola Lytvyshchenko. Next up for McEntee is Hungary’s Istvan Szaka.

There was however a controversial loss for Belfast’s James McGivern. The youngster, spoke highly of by World champion Mick Conlan, was adjudged to have lost to Russia’s Vladimir Strygin.

McGivern, who claimed silver at the championships last year, seemed to have gotten the better of his opponent throughout and the Commonwealth Youth gold medalist was visibly shocked when the result was announced in favour of the home fighter.

Video of McGivern (1hour 9minutes) and McCarthy’s (1hour 50minutes) fights:

Video of McEntee’s fight (from 33minutes):