Rebel County Rises – McCarthy upgrades to silver at Euro Youths

Cork’s Oliver McCarthy upgraded his guaranteed bronze medal to at least silver at the European Youth Championships in Anapa, Russia yesterday.

But Monaghan flyweight Terry McEntee had to settle for bronze despite a massive performance in his semi-final against home favourite Nikita Diskunov.

McCarthy produced a composed display against Azerbaijan’s Sarhan Aliev to book his ticket in today’s lightweight final where he’ll meet Beslan Khamzaev of Russia.

McEntee’s aggression and relentless pursuit of Diskunov might have earned the decision that would have see him through to the 52kg final in another host country, but the Russian was finding the target with some slick counters.

Rounds two and three between McCarthy and the Azeri were almost impossible to call, but the Leeside lightweight dominated the second frame and that ultimately sealed victory.

The Brian Dillon BC fighter will now meet Russia’s Beslan Khamzaev in the final, four years after beating a Russian opponent in the 2012 European Schoolboy final – also in Anapa.

“Great performance from Oliver, particularly in the second round,” said Irish team manager Stephen Connolly.

“The best is yet to come from him and his confidence will be high going into the final. Terry was magnificent. He gave it absolutely everything against a world class opponent.”

Billy McClean and Dmitri Dimitruk are working Ireland’s corner in Anapa.

McCarthy is due in the ring at approximately 13:15 (Irish time) for his final.

Watch McEntee’s (15minutes) and McCarthy’s (42minutes) semi-finals here