Four Irish fighters to challenge for Bee Gee Gold

Four Irish boxers will compete for gold at the 34th Gee Bee multi nations in Helsinki, Finland tomorrow.

London 2012 Olympian Adam Nolan, Brendan Irvine, Conor Coyle and Myles Casey won their semi-finals today on a day of six split decision for and against Ireland in the Finnish capital.

Nolan beat Sweden’s Oliver Flodin this afternoon, while Irvine impressed in his victory over Russia’s Nikita Tomilov.

Earlier today, Casey and Coyle progressed at the expense of Spain’s Gabriel Escobar and Finland’s Hari Kujala in the flyweight and middleweight semi-finals.

Casey got the nod from two of the three judges – two of which had diametrically opposed scores – on a 30-27,27-30, 29-28 verdict to deservedly book his spot into the 52kg decider.

Coyle earned a 29-28, 29-28, 27-30 victory over Kujala in the middleweight class, but Kurt Walker and George Bates were edged out on split decisions.

“All of the boys performed well today. Young Irvine was outstanding, he shone,” said Irish team manager Peter Donnelly.

“Hopefully, we can get some gold medals tomorrow.”

Sunday’s finals begin at 11am (Irish time).

34th Gee Bee Multi-Nations Helsinki, Finland

March 13th Q/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Di Savino Allessio (Italy) 3-0
69kg Adam Nolan (Ireland) beat Sissokho Youba (Spain) 2-1
75kg Conor Coyle (Ireland) beat Troy Williamson (England) 2-1

March 14th S/Finals
49kg Brendan Irvine (Ireland beat Nikita Tomilov (Russia) 2-1 – (30-27,29-28,28-29)
52kg Myles Casey (Ireland) beat Gabriel Escobar (Spain) 2-1 – (30-27, 27-30,29-28)
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) lost to Peter McGrail (England) 1-2 – (27-30,29-28,28-29)
60kg George Bates (Ireland) lost to Francesco Maietta (Italy) 1-2 – (27-30,29-28,28-29)
69kg Adam Nolan (Ireland) beat Oliver Flodin (Sweden) 2-1 – (30-27,28-29,29-28)
75kg Conor Coyle (Ireland) beat Hari Kujala (Finland) 2-1 – (29-28,29-28,27-30)

March 15th Finals

49kg Brendan Irvine (Ireland) v Tinko Banabakov (Bulgaria)

52kg Myles Casey (Ireland) v Azat Makhmetov (Kazakhstan)

69kg Adam Nolan (Ireland) v Chris Mbwakongo (England)

75kg Conor Coyle (Ireland) v Max Van der Pas Max (Netherland)

Irish squad

49kg: Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s Antrim) (Silver, at least)
52kg: Myles Casey (St Francis) (Silver, at least)
56kg: Kurt Walker (Canal) (Bronze)
60kg: George Bates (St Marys) (Bronze)
69kg: Adam Nolan (Bray) (Silver, at least)
75kg: Conor Coyle (St Josephs, Derry) (Silver, at least)

Team manager: Peter O’Donnell

Coaches: Billy Walsh & Noel Burke
R&J: Ben McGarrigle