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Kelly Harrington OUT of European Games final


There has been shock breaking news this morning that Kelly Harrington has withdrawn from her European Games gold medal match.

The reigning lightweight world champion was set to face Finnish rival Mira Potkonen for 60kg gold in Minsk but has pulled out due to an injury to her right thumb.

Team Captain Harrington sustained the injury during her semi-final win over Swede Agnes Alexiusson and has not recovered in time for today’s final in the continental multi-sport games.

IABA High Performance Director made the call to withdraw Harrington, meaning she will leave Belarus with silver – with Lisburn featherweight now our final chance of gold.

Harrington said that “I’m disappointed to not be competing but I understand that there’s a bigger picture to be taken into account.”

“It would be too much of a risk to go in there and have another setback. I totally respect the advice of the medical staff and the decision of the Performance Director.”

“While I’m disappointed, I’m still going to be there for Kurt my teammate, as captain.”

Walker will face Ukrainian Mykola Butsenko at around 11:30am (Irish time).

The silver for Harrington is her fifth major medal following gold and silver at the Worlds, bronze at the Europeans, and silver at the European Unions.

In the latter two instances, Harrington was defeated by Potkonen and the Katie Taylor defeater remains, on paper, the Dubliner’s main rival for gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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