Two Wexford boxers will return from Serbia with European U19 bronze medals after impressive performances for Team Ireland…
Wexford CBS’ Kalib Walshe and Kayleigh Byrne of Gorey Boxing Club both reached the semi-finals of the European U19 Championships in Loznica.
Walshe, competing at 60kg, progressed through the competition with wins over opponents from Israel, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Ukraine before reaching the semi-finals.
He faced Italy’s Daniele Fabi in the last four, but was beaten by a 4-1 decision. The result saw Walshe finish the championships with a well-earned European bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Byrne produced a dramatic comeback in her 51kg quarter-final, recovering from being behind after two rounds to secure victory and guarantee herself a medal.
She then faced Spain’s Andrea Buelga Garcia in the semi-final, narrowly losing by a 3-2 decision. Her coaches, her team, and everyone in the know believed she had done enough to reach the final, with Gorey Boxing Club noting that it was a “strange” decision, believing she “had done more than enough to take the decision.”
Despite that, it’s still an incredible achievement — and there’s no doubt that it’s the last we’ll hear about their journeys. The success is another major boost for boxing in Wexford, with two of the county’s young talents returning from Serbia as European medallists.
Jason Redmond
From Gorey, Jason is the owner of Wexford Weekly. He is also a post-primary English and History teacher.
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