Ireland edged out by Finland in Edenderry

Ireland were edged out 5-3 by a top class Finnish side at the St Brigids BC in Edenderry last night.

Michaela Walsh, Joanne Lambe, pictured above, and Emma Agnew had their hands raised in victory, Walsh giving an exhibition against Marjut Lausti in the bantamweight class and Lambe and Agnew beating Anio Juvonen and Adriana Ylijurva.

Elaine Harrison, Niamh Ball, Kayleigh McCormack and Grainne Walsh, who was very unlucky to come out on the wrong side of a split decision, also gave fine accounts of themselves, along with 18-year-old Cheyanne O’Neill of the Athlone BC.

O’Neill was in against Mira Potkonen, a lightweight who has asked a few questions of Olympic champion Katie Taylor on a number of occasions, and fought the highly-rated Finn all the way down to the final bell in the contest of the night.

“”We’re delighted with the performances. We had only one Elite champion in action tonight. The girls lost 5-3, with one iffy decision, said St Brigids coach Liam Brereton.

“They gave it everything, as you would expect, Cheyanne was amazing against Mira, what a contest! She can be very proud of her performances against a world class opponent, as can all the squad tonight.”

Both nations will meet again tomorrow evening at the Ballina BC. Full line ups will be announced shortly.

 
Ireland v Finland St Brigids BC Edenderry April 17th (7:30pm)

51kg Elaine Harrison (Ballina BC) lost to Lotta Loikkanen 0-3

54kg Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG) beat Marjut Lausti 3-0

57kg Joanne Lambe (Carrickmcross BC) beat Anio Juvonen 2-1

57kg Emma Agnew (Dealgan) beat Adriana Ylijurva 3-0

60kg Cheyanne O’Neill (Athlone) lost to Mira Potkonen 0-3

60kg Niamh Ball (Trojan) lost to Erika Tarvanen 0-3

64kg Kayleigh McCormack (Kilfenora) lost to Elina Gustatsson 0-3

69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus) lost to Mathilda Soukka 1-2