Terrific in Trabzon – Ireland Increase European Medal Haul to 13

Team Ireland boosted their European U15 medal tally to a massive 13 in Trabzon on Wednesday. 

Alicia Ennis, Edward Ward, Bobby Boylan, Layla Ayres, Sophie Cronin, Andrew Nugent, Rian Brannigan, Pa Casey and Martin Ward all stepped onto the podium on a massive day for the sport.

Alicia Ennis is assured of at least bronze – having won her 54kg quarter final, claiming a unanimous decision victory over Georgia’s Barbare Tchitashvili, scored 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 29:28; 29:28. Ennis boxes her semi final against Kristina Mazurenko of Russia in Saturday’s Evening Session.

Edward Ward has just won, at least, European U15 bronze. He boxed his 46kg quarter final against Romania’s Auras Ioan Rusu Cantar, and came away with the 3-2 decision. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 29:28; 29:28; 27:30; 28:29. The Olympic Galway teen boxes for an up-grade in Saturday’s Evening Session, against Samuel Smith of England.

Bobby Boylan is a European medalist! The 63kg boxer is assured of at least bronze following his 4-1 quarter final win over Romania’s Raimond Osvat, scored 28:29; 27:30; 28:29; 27:30; Boylan boxes his semi final in Friday’s Evening Session. 

Layla Ayres is also assured of at least a bronze. She boxed her 52kg quarter final against Ukraine’s Emiliia Bryzhak and was the 4-1 winner, on a scoreline of 27:30; 27:30; 29:28; 27:30; 27:30. The St Brigid’s Edenderry operator boxes for an up-grade in Friday’s Evening Sessions Celine Soder of Germany.

75kg Sophie Cronin made debut at quarter final stage, against Tea Farkaš of Croatia, and claimed a spot on the podium courtesy of a 5-0 win, scored 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. 

Andrew Nugent did likewise in the subquent bout, a 42kg quarter final against Carlo Gabriel Carbaruso. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30, 28:29; 28:29; 28:29. Nugent boxes for a finals place in Saturday’s SFs, against Kevin Lourenco de Castro of Germany

Rian Branagan took on Karamyan Davit of Armenia in a 44kg quarter final, and comes home with a bronze medal at least following a 4-1 split decision in his favour, scored 28:29; 27:30; 28:29; 29:28; 27:30. Branagan is back in action, and boxing his semi final, on Friday.

50kg Pa Casey, is now a two-time benchmark medalist. He boxed his quarter-final against Ukraine’s Serhii Kirichenko and was the 4-1 winner. The bout was scored 30:27; 29:28; 30:27; 29:28; 28:29. The gold medal winner boxes for a finals berth against Hungary’s Ferenc Cellar in Saturday’s semi finals.

And Martin Nevin is assured of a podium finish. He was the 4-1 victor over Armenia’s Boyajyan Areg in their 54kg quarter final, scored 29:28; 29: 28; 30:27; 28:29; 30:27. Martin boxes his semi final against Leonis Pershpalaj of Albania in Saturday’s Evening Session.

Not to be for Amy Joyce, despite a brave performance. She contested her 48kg quarter final against Aurora Pizzi of Italy – the decision went to the Italian boxer scored 29:28; 29:28; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27. Amy’s European journey has included a 5–0 unanimous decision victory over Armenia’s Amirjanyan Shushanik. Ava Mulhall bows-out of the championships. She boxed a tough 44 kg quarter-final against England’s Millie Rolf, and the 5-0 decision went to Rolf on a scoreline of 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30.

Team Ireland

40kg Aine Marrinan, Nutgrove BC, Dublin

40kg Blake Fegan, Jobstown BC, Dublin

42kg Cara Evans, East Meath BC, Meath

42kg Andrew Nugent, Olympic BG, Galway

44kg Ava Mulhall, Jobstown BC, Dublin

44kg Rian Branagan, Swords BC, Dublin

46kg Rosaletta Casey, Portlaoise BC, Laois

46kg Edward Ward, Olympic BC, Galway

48kg Amy Joyce, Olympic BC Mullingar, Westmeath

48kg Mickey Joe Joyce, Punishers BC, Westmeath

50kg Leah Cairns, Golden Gloves BC, Cork

50kg Pa Casey, Casey’s BC, Kerry

52kg Layla Ayres, St Brigid’s BC Edenderry, Offaly

52kg Yousef Shams, Cherry Orchard BC, Dublin

54kg Alicia Ennis, St. Brigid’s BC Edenderry, Offaly

54kg Martin Nevin, Olympic BC, Galway

57kg Leticija Teinere, Rathkeale BC, Limerick

57kg Seb Mooney, Monkstown BC, Dublin

60kg Paddy Heneghan, Galway BC, Galway

63kg Bobby Boylan, Edenmore BC, Dublin

66kg Leon Cranley, Monkstown BC, Dublin

70kg Sophie Potter, Gateway BC, Sligo

75kg Sophie Cronin, St. Francis BC, Limerick

75kg Romeo Barrett, Titans BC, Galway

90+kg Cian Leddy, Olympic BC, Mullingar, Westmeath

Support Staff

Team Manager Stephen Connolly, Ballymore Hollywood BC, Kildare

Team Manager Aine McLoughlin, Spartans BC, Cork

Coach, Paul Simpson, Saviours Crystal BC, Waterford

Coach, John Coffey, Sliabh Luachra BC, Kerry

Coach, Tommy O’Donnell, Charleville BC, Cork

Coach, Maria O’Brien, Ballymun BC, Dublin

R&J Marty O’Neill, Drimnagh BC, DublinCatego