Three medals for Ireland at Feliks Stamm tournament
By Bernard O’Neill – IABA Press Officer
European Games champion Michael O’Reilly claimed gold at the Feliks Stamm multi-nations in Warsaw tonight.
The Portlaoise BC middleweight beat Bartosz Gołębiewski of Poland on a unanimous decision to claim his second major gold medal this year.
“Michael gave an exhibition of boxing, top class all round. Ceire was very unlucky to lose out and Wayne performed very well,” said Irish head coach Billy Walsh.
Ceire Smith and Wayne Kelly will be bringing home silver after tonight’s finals.
Kelly gave a fine account of himself in his first major international final against seasoned campaigner Sam Maxwell in the 64kg final. A tight and very technically affair went the way of the English fighter on a unanimous decision.
Smith, boxing for the fourth time in four days, was edged out on a split by Poland’s Sandra Drabik. The Irish flyweight beat World No. 1 – Marlen Esparza of the USA – en route to the final.
She said: ” So, silver medal for me, four fantastic contests in four days. Disappointed, but I’ll be back again. I have to say a huge thank you to my coaches Billy Walsh and Zaur Antia for working endlessly with me here and also to the main boss Brian McKeown at home.
“Also, I want to say a massive thanks to everyone for the continuous support and kind messages. It’s a pleasure representing my country each time I step into the ring.”
The Irish squad are due home via Dublin Airport at 4pm this afternoon.
Feliks Stamm Multi Nations Warsaw, Poland
September 9th
Prelims
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) beat Marlen Esparza (USA) 2-1
September 10th
Q/Finals
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) beat Helena Envali (Sweden) 3-0
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Gavin Gwynne (Wales) 3-0
September 11th
S/Finals
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) beat Yuang Chang (China) 2-1
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Mohammed Al-Maliki (Sweden) 3-0
75kg Michael O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Tomasz Jabolinski (Poland) 2-1
September 12th
Finals
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Sabdra Drabik (Poland)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Sam Maxwell (England)
75kg Michael O’Reilly (Ireland) v Bartosz Gołębiewski (Poland)
Irish squad
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ballynacargy)
75kg Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)
Team Manager: Billy O’Connor
Coaches; Billy Walsh: and Zauri Antia
Physiotherapist: Ursula Brooks
R/J: Larry Durand
