(AUG 23) Dealgan’s Amy
Broadhurst was crowned featherweight champion of Europe as the
2015 EUBC Women’s Youth and Junior championships came to a close
at the SportHall in Keszthely, Hungary on Saturday.
Club team-mate Orla Garvey and Shauna O’Callaghan of Clann Naofa
had to settle for silver against Russian opponents in the Junior
feather and light classes.
Broadhurst beat Italy’s Francesca Matusciello on a majority
decision to secure 57kg gold. She told us later:
"Absolutely delighted! 3 time European Champion and 4 European
finals at 18. Just something that's hard for me to believe- I
went through so much over the last 8 weeks and I can finally say
that it was all worth it. European Champion for the 3rd time.
Ahhh mad😅now it's time to enjoy the celebrations! Thanks a
million for the support everyone, amazing!"
The new European champion was controversially denied European
gold last year after being adjudged to have lost the 57kg final
in Assisi, but the Dundalk southpaw bounced back with a majority
decision against Matusciello after four rounds.
Broadhurst won three fights ‘en route’ to the top of the 57kg
podium in Keszthely. Garvey and O’Callaghan will be returning
home with silver medals following fine campaigns.
The Youth boxer of the tournament award went to Italy’s Irma
Testa, the new 60kg titleholder.
Team Ireland: 1 Gold, 2 Silver,6
Bronze
Garvey was beaten by Russian feather Liudmilla Voransova on a
unanimous decision and O’Callaghan was edged out on a split
decision by Voransova’s compatriot, Ekaterina Dinnik “All the
girls were magnificent today and they can be very proud of their
performances, as can the entire squad here this week,” said
Irish team manager Maura Campbell.
“There was nothing in it. It could have gone either way and
Shauna was top class. Orla was beaten by the Russian that won
the Junior ‘best boxer’ award and gave it everything.
Amy topped the lot for us after winning the gold medal, a
fantastic performance from her, said Liam Brereton, who was
working Ireland’s corner in Keszthely with Jim O’Neill, Anita
Just, and John McCormack.
“Team manager Maura Campbell and ourselves couldn’t be happier
with the squad. They won nine medals and finished in fourth spot
in the Junior table and sixth in the Youth team rankings.
“With a bit of luck we could have a few more medals, and a few
more into the finals. The girls are looking forward to going
home now and seeing their families. Once again they have
represented their country with pride in international
competition.”
Overall, the Irish team secured one gold, two silver and six
bronze medals in Hungary, a 50% return from an 18-strong squad,
some of whom can consider themselves very unlucky not to finish
amongst the medals.
Irish male and female boxing has now claimed 16 medals – five
gold, three silver and eight bronze – in European Games, Elite
and Youth and Junior competition since June.
Broadhurst joins Katie Taylor, Joe Ward, Michael Conlan and
Michael O’Reilly on the winner’s podium after an intense summer
of European competition.
