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Ward beat Italy's Fiori Simeno. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Boxing clever

Mixed results for Irish as duo secure medals

Joe Ward and Ray Moylette are both guaranteed at least a bronze medal following their victories yesterday.

JOE WARD AND Ray Moylette are guaranteed at least a bronze medal following their success at the European Championships yesterday.

However, despite a hugely promising start to the tournament for the Irish team, there was disappointment elsewhere, as John Joe Nevin, Willie McLaughlin, Michael Conlon and captain Darren O’Neill all bowed out.

Moylette, in particular, performed impressively. He narrowly beat Russian Maksim Ignatiev 14-13, despite being 6-3 down at one point. Azerbaijan’s Hajiliyev Heybatulla will take on Moylette in tomorrow’s semi-final.

Meanwhile, AIBA World Youth champ, 17-year-old,  Ward, who beat Fiori Simeno of Italy, will face off against Imre Szello of Hungary.

There was particular disappointment for Darren O’Neill who lost 17-10 to Dmytro Mytrofanov, having won a European silver last year.

The most controversial encounter was undoubtedly Nevin’s fight against Russia’s Dmitry Polyanskiy, with many people feeling the Irishman was hard done by in light of the judges’ decision to award the victory to Polyanskiy.

Many, including IABA director of boxing Dominic O’Rourke, expressed their frustration with the judgement.

“It was a very questionable decision,” he said. “Even the neutrals in the crowd booed the decision as they thought that John Joe won. It’s very disappointing, especially at this level.”