Ireland lose to America again – but judging causes controversy
Ireland fell to another defeat tonight versus a strong United States team – however, they were not happy with how the evening’s action played out.
Following an 8-4 reverse on the opening night on Monday, Ireland were once again beaten tonight in Springfield, Massachusetts, but the 7-3 scoreline didn’t tell the full story.
Five straight split decision losses – the first two against Kelly Harrington and Gráinne Walsh being quite baffling – left Ireland with a mountain to climb in Boston to even claim a draw.
Didn’t get the decision tonight lost on a split and so far all the Irish have lost on splits :/ I felt we nicked these fights:/ @USABoxing what is going on???
— Kellie Harrington (@Kelly64kg) March 16, 2018
Light welter Wayne Kelly was particularly bemused by his split loss to Charlie Sheehy while newcomer Caoimhin Ferguson gave as good as he got against Panamerican silver medalist Tiger Johnson – as did George Bates versus U.S. wonderkid Marc Castro.
Senior international debutant Paddy Donovan, one weight north of his favoured 64kg, defeated Panamerican silver medalist Quinton Randall in a cagey clash to get Ireland on the board.
Another international debutant, Gerard French, had a fiery encounter with World bronze medalist Troy Isley – the American having a point deducted for the second bout in a row en-route to a unanimous win which ensured that the U.S. won overall.
Donegal-Derry middle Brett McGinty put on another relentless showing versus Nikita Ababiy, walking down the New Yorker and claiming a split-decision win, at last, for the visiting team.
The pro-styled Caoimhin Agyarko Hynes, another fighting above their natural weight, did serious damage against Khalil Coe, however the busy American took a unanimous decision win.
Kirill Afanasev then ensured a good end to the night for Ireland, defeating Adrian Tillman once again to leave the scores at 7-3.
The tour will conclude next Wednesday [March 21st] with a fight night in Manchester, New Hampshire.
60kg: Amelia Moore (Middletown, Connecticut) beat Kelly Harrington (St Mary’s) 2-1
69kg: Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio) beat Gráinne Walsh (Sparticus) 2-1
60kg: Marc Castro (Fresno, California) beat George Bates (St Mary’s) 2-1
64kg: Charlie Sheehy (Brisbane, California) beat Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise) 2-1
64kg: Tiger Johnson (Cleveland, Ohio) beat Caoimhin Ferguson (Clonard) 2-1
69kg: Paddy Donovan (OLOL) beat Quinton Randall (Katy, Texas) 3-0
75kg: Troy Isley (Alexandria, Virginia) beat Gerard French (Clonard) 3-0
75kg: Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) beat Nikita Ababiy (Brooklyn, New York) 2-1
81kg: Khalil Coe (Jersey City, New Jersey) beat Caoimhin Hynes (Holy Trinity) 3-0
91kg: Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield) beat Adrian Tillman (Colorado Springs, Colorado) 3-0
Photo Credit: William McNamara Photography
