Battling Broadhurst wins gold on her birthday

ST PATRICK’S DAY-BORN Amy Broadhurst claimed her second successive European U-22 gold in Russia yesterday.

The Dundalk lightweight, 22, who won four fights en route to the top of the podium, posted a 4-1 split decision – 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 27-30 – over Italy’s Rebecca Nicoli after an all-southpaw battle in Vladikavkaz.

“I’m absolutely thrilled as this is a special day for me as it’s my birthday. It has been a tough tournament but I came through it in the end,” said the Dealgan BC lefty (right) who has now won five European underage titles.

Nicoli probably edged the first round of Sunday’s 60kg clash but Broadhurst’s accuracy and punch volume won the day and a sporting congratulations from the Italian corner.

Dmitry Dimitruk, the Ireland head coach in Russia, and coaching staff of Philip Keogh and Antia Just hailed her performance against Nicoli, who won European U-22 gold at light-welter in 2018.

“It doesn’t get much better than European gold on your birthday, which happens to be St Patrick’s Day. This win will create lifelong memories,” said the champion’s coach and dad Tony Broadhurst.

Ireland’s 10-strong squad are due to arrive home from the European U-22 Championships via Dublin Airport at 9.10 this evening.

Meanwhile, Cork pair Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and Noel Murphy, and Wexford’s

Niall Kennedy, won at the House of Blues in Boston on Saturday night.

O’Sullivan stopped Boston light-middle Khairy Gray in the sixth round and Macroom welter Murphy scored a unanimous decision over Dublin’s John Joyce.

Kennedy stopped Miami heavyweight Michael Marrone in the first round.

“I was always confident that I’d get him out of there in the end with the big bombs. I want to step up and become light-middleweight champion of the world,” said O’Sullivan who is planning to call out Dennis Hogan or Jaime Munguia next month.

Hogan meets Mexico’s defending WBO champion Munguia in Mexico on April 13, and O’Sullivan will be in situ to have “a chat” with the victor. “I’m going to take a flight out to Mexico next month.

“My next port of call will be at ringside for Munguia and Dennis Hogan,” added O’Sullivan, who now boasts 30 wins from 33 outings.