Kelyn Cassidy kicks off European U22s for Ireland with a great win

Kelyn Cassidy kicked off Ireland’s campaign at the European U22 Championships in Romania with a win.

The Waterford middleweight took on Armenia’s Armen Minasyan in the 75kg Round of 32, and scored a brilliant unanimous decision win in Braila.

After a cagey first round in what was his Irish international debut, southpaw Cassidy kicked into gear in an impressive second round. His Eastern European opponent would start the final round strongly, but Cassidy showed tremendous grit to claw his way on top to seal the win.

The Saviours Crystal boxer was the only Irish boxer in action today, and is now just two wins away from a medal. Jordan Moore and Kurt Walker are through the ropes tomorrow.

European U22 Championships Braila, Romania March 14th-22nd

March 14th
Last 32
75kg: Keyln Cassidy (Ireland) bt Armen Minasyan (Armenia) 5-0

March 15th
Last 16
52kg: Jordan Moore (Ireland) v Anry Tyshkavenko (Ukraine)

Last 32
56kg: Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Adrian Powal (Poland)

March 16th
Last 16
69kg Eugene McKeever (Ireland) v Vitalii Tereshchuk (Ukraine)
91kg Geoffrey Kavanagh (Ireland) v Adam Hamari (Hungary)
91kg+: Thomas Carty (Ireland) v Vitalii Pakuliak (Ukraine)

March 17th
Last 16
60kg: Dylan Duffy (Ireland) v Romano Marengo (Netherlands)
64kg: Keith Flavin (Ireland) v Mikhail Baisiakov (Belarus)
81kg: Brian Kennedy (Ireland) v Polneikis Kalamaras (Greece)

Irish squad
52kg Jordan Moore (Glasnevin)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
60kg Dylan Duffy (Pegasus)
64kg Keith Flavin (Paulstown)
69kg Eugene McKeever (Holy Family Drogheda)
75kg Keyln Cassidy (Saviours Crystal)
81kg Brian Kennedy (St Marys Daingean)
91kg Geoffrey Kavanagh (Glasnevin)
91+kg Thomas Carty (Glasnevin) Captain

Team Manager: Paddy Osbourne
Coaches: Zaur Antia, Pat McDonagh
R&J: Philip Rooney