Silver lining for Irish at European Youths

IRELAND is guaranteed at least four silver medals from the European Youth Championships after winning four semi-finals out of six in Italy yesterday.

Daina Moorehouse, Dearbhla Rooney, Evelyn Igharo and Dean Clancy won in Roseto degli Abruzzi after a hectic day of action for the Irish coach staff of chief seconds Billy McClean, Olympic champion Michael Carruth, Mike Mongan and Anita Just.

Irish captain Lauren Kelly, who was allegedly bitten on the shoulder by her Turkish opponent, Sena Erdogan, in the last-eight, and Jude Gallagher had to settle for bronze after losing their semi-finals yesterday.

Moorehouse beat Germany’s Maxi Klotzer in the light-fly class and admitted it was an emotional win on her debut at this level. “She was a very tough girl. I was delighted to get the win and be in my second European final. It’s my first year being a Youth. I got emotional I was so happy,” she said.

Rooney, with the fight with Russia’s Siberian champion Valeria Radionovan in the balance going into the final 20 seconds, made up a majority of the five judges’ minds up with two big right hooks to take a 3-2 split decision in the end and Igharo was outstanding in her victory over Maria Sedaya of Ukraine.

Clancy convincingly beat Ukraine’s European Junior champion Yurii Tomiuk in the 52kg class, the slick Sligo flyweight operating off the front and back foot with precision in all three rounds.

RESULTS IN FACTFILE