MEDAL ALERT – Aoife O’Rourke sends Ireland to seventh – Wins European Bronze at least
Aoife O’Rourke put her name on the list of Irish women to win more than one European Championships medal with another impressive win in Budva today.
The Roscommon native was too good for Turkey’s Busra Isildar and secured a bronze at least with a 4-1 split decision win.
The win means the reigning champion is just two wins away from retaining her title and making it back-to-back golds. The Olympic Galway BC fighter also joins Katie Taylor, Michaela Walsh, Amy Broadhurst, Christina Desmond, and Kellie Harrington on the list of Irish female fighters to win medals at more than one European Championship by virtue of having her hand raised.
The Olympian’s win also bumped Ireland’s medal haul from this particular tournament to a sensational seven.
The older sister of World light middleweight gold medal winner, Lisa O’Rourke will now fight for silver alongside Shannon Sweeney, Michaela Walsh, Amy Broadhurst, Christina Desmond, Caitlin Fryers and Kellie Harrington in Friday’s finals.
🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉#TeamIreland‘s 75kgkg, Aoife O’Rourke, has guaranteed herself a semi-final place, and at least a bronze medal, following a 4-1 win over Turkey. pic.twitter.com/OkFumIqVMC
— IABA (@IABABOXING) October 19, 2022
There was no such joy for Kaci Rock earlier in the evening session, as she lost to the very tall and skillful Stefanie von Berge in the Welterweight quarter.
Rock looked ready to roll early, she set the pace in the first round, stalking her tall foe, showing good head movement, and scoring with combinations that more often than not ended with solid right hands. The long German, who had Eddie Bolger in her corner, finally brought out her extremely long jab halfway through the stanza and started to have real success with straight shots, as Rock let the tempo drop.
So impressed with Von Berge’s work were the judges that she won the round across the board, in fact two gave it to her by a 10-8 score.
Rock was full of endeavour in the second and continued to press forward but her opponent had really found rhythm and range, scoring with a jab and showing hand speed to catch Rock as she attacked.
Again she took the session and again by a 10-8 score on a number of cards, meaning the European Under-22 medal winner needed a stoppage to secure.
To her credit, the Enniskerry fighter went for it but a fleet-footed, extremely tall and quality German operator wasn’t easily caught or hurt.
Team Ireland Squad
48kg: Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s, Mayo
50kg: Caitlin Fryers, Immaculata BC, Belfast
52kg: Carly McNaul, Ormeau Road BC, Belfast
54kg: Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin
57kg: Michaela Walsh, Emerald BC, Belfast
60kg: Kellie Harrington, St. Mary’s BC, Dublin
63kg: Amy Broadhurst, St. Bronagh’s ABC, Newry
66kg: Kaci Rock, Enniskerry BC, Wicklow
70kg: Christina Desmond, Dungarvan BC/Garda BC
75kg: Aoife O’Rourke, Olympic BC, Galway
Coaches:
Zauri Antia
John Conlan
Dmitrij Dmitruk
Eoin Pluck
Physio
Rob Tuomey.
