John Joyce and James Cleary got Ireland off to an impressive
start at the 2012 European Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria
today.
Joyce, the current European schoolboy champion, beat Richard
Kovacs of Hungary 15-7, and Cleary followed that up with a 19-6
decision over Kaspers Burkevics of Latvia.
Meanwhile, Ireland experienced contrasting fortunes this
evening, with Wayne Kelly progressing but Daryl Byrne and Luke
Thomas bowing out at the last-32 stage.
Kelly registered a 15-18 decision over Israeli lightweight
Saleem Bibar, but Byrne lost by a two-point margin to Bernard
Barsony of Hungary.
Thomas, a bronze medal winner at the 2011 European Championships
in Hungary, was beaten by Russia's Bakhtier Kholov in the
light-middleweight class.
"The lads gave it absolutely everything today and they left
everything in the ring against tough opponents. The standard is
very high at this tournament, " said IABA Director of Boxing
Dominic O'Rourke.
The rest of the 13-strong Irish squad received byes into
the last-16 from today's draw and will be in action - along with
Joyce, Cleary and Kelly - over the next three days.
Boxing weill recommence at 1pm (irish time) tomorrow. 265 boxers
from 35 nations are taking part in the 2012 European Junior
Championships.
2012 European Junior Championships Sofia, Bulgaria
June 23rd (Last 32)
52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) beat Kaspars Burkevics (Latvia)
19-6
54kg: John Joyce (Ireland) beat Richard Kovacs (Hungary)
15-7
60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Saleem Bibar (Israel) 15-8
63kg: Daryl Byrne (Ireland) lost to Bernard Barsony (Hungary)
10-12
70kg: Luke Thomas (Ireland) lost to Bakhtier Kholov (Russia)
9-14
June 24th (Last 16)
54kg; John Joyce (Ireland) v Viktor Petrov (Ukraine)
57kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) v Jegors Artjomovs (Latvia)
66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) v Huseyn Tarverdili
(Azerbaijan)
80kg: Michael Gallagher (Ireland) v Uladzimir Tsitou
(Belarus)
80+kg: Aaron Kelly (Ireland) v Marat Kerimkhanov (Russia)
June 25th (Last 16)
46kg: Martin Stokes (Ireland) v Dan Lapin (Ukraine)
48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) v Zsolt Karvaly (Hungary)
50kg: Kalum McConville (Ireland) v Paul Wall (Germany)
52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) v Sorin Claudiu (Romania) or
Emirhan Yildiz (Turkey)
June 26th (Last 16)
60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Johanathan Zumbe (Germany)
75kg; Brian Wall (Ireland) v Leonard Nicolae (Romania)
Irish squad
46kg; Martin Stokes (Mullhuddard)
48kg; Jason McKay (Canal)
50kg: Kalum McConville (Dealgan)
52kg: James Cleary (Olympic)
54kg: John Joyce (St Michael's Athy)
57kg: Darren Pollock (St Agnes)
60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ballynacargy)
63kg: Daryl Byrne (Grangecon)
66kg: Lewis Crocker (Cairn Lodge)
70kg: Luke Thomas (Watergrasshill)
75kg: Brian Wall (Cashen Vale)
80kg: Michael Gallagher (Finn Valley)
80kg+: Aaron Kelly (Mount Tallant)
Team manager: Michael Darby
Coaches: Billy McClean. Jim O'Neill (Clann Noafa Noafa). Ger
McDaid (Mulhuddard)
Physio: Eoin Naughton
R&J: Jim Murrin
Director of Boxing: Dominic O'Rourke
24/06/2012 15:58:41