Reigning Olympic champion Kellie Harrington has won her quarter-final bout at the European Games to secure Olympic qualification for Paris, and at least a bronze medal at these Games.
Lightweight Harrington beat Sweden’s Agnes Alexiusson 4-1 to advance to a semi-final match-up against Estelle Mossely of France, on Friday.
“I’m on cloud nine right now,” she said.
“I know that my face doesn’t say I’m overjoyed. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions; to come back after my hand being raised it’s just been incredible. To go home now and to celebrate with my small circle; with my family, with Mandy, I just can’t wait.”
“I’m just going for the next fight round by round and wherever that takes me. The main thing is I’m back enjoying it again, and I’ve booked my seat on the plane to Paris. That was the goal coming out here.”
Dundalk’s Amy Broadhurst was bitterly disappointed to lose out on a split decision in her quarter-final against Rosie Joy Eccles of Great Britain. Jennifer Lehane also missed out losing 5-0 in her bout.
Lightweight Dean Clancy became the second Irish boxer at these European Games to secure Olympic qualification, after he defeated Italian Gianluigi Malanga, in a unanimous 5-0 decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Heavyweight Jack Marley has guaranteed himself at least a bronze medal at these Games, and a shot at securing Olympic qualification if he reaches the final, by defeating Croatian Marko Calic on a split decision in his quarter-final this afternoon (4-1).
