Roscommon's Aoife O'Rourke has won a place at next years Olympic Games in Paris.
O'Rourke qualified for the Olympics by winnning European Games silver against Poland's Elizabeth Wojcik.
The Castlerea fighter scored a split decision, 29-28, 29-29, 30-27, 27-30, 28-29 to take silver.
The 25-year-old Roscommon native used her reach early on making Wojcka duck throughout the opening minute.
However, Wojcka worked closer to O’Rourke, landing more shots with three judges giving the first round to the Pol.
The second round saw a typical O’Rourke aggressive performance. O’Rourke turning the fight into more of a scrap, which is more O’Rourke’s style.
The Pol hit the canvas twice in the second, however both ruled as falls by the referee. Four judges this time gave the Irish woman the nod.
A decisive third round saw O’Rourke dominate with big shots. The fight being paused for a short period as Wojcka was treated for a cut above her left eye.
O’Rourke looked more in control as the fight wore on and landed an impressive body shot mid-way through.
The Castlerea boxer celebrated as the judges gave her the nod, with three judges giving O’Rourke the third round. Thus sealing a place in the final and the Olympic Games with three judges giving the Irish woman the win.
O’Rourke will fight France’s Davina-Myrha Michel for gold on Saturday.
😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
WE’RE GOING TO PARIS 🇫🇷#TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/2yqBcFjahR
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) June 30, 2023
Succesful day for Ireland
Elsewhere, Jack Marley confirmed his place on the plane to Paris 2024 with victory in the Men’s heavyweight semi-final this afternoon.
20-year-old Marley came back from a first-round loss (1-4) to win on split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28, 30-27) against Spain’s Enmanual Reyes Pla.
Marley is the first Irish heavyweight in 27-years to qualify for an Olympic Games. Cathal O’Grady the last heavyweight in 1996.
“I can’t believe it, it was a big mental strain today” explained Marley. “Everything was going through the head. Unlike everyone else I had to get the bronze first, then qualify. It was just another obstacle in my head that I had to get past, it was tough but we’re here now and I can’t believe it.”
“I enjoyed that right to the final minute” explained the Dubliner. “I was smiling the whole way through it.”
“The first round I came out strong because I knew he’d tire, but I ended up losing the first round. I think our other two fights I lost the first round too but I don’t mind that”.
“I had to go chasing it but it was worth it. I couldn’t let him get his tempo. I’m absolutely speechless” declared Marley.
Marley will face Italian Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine, a 30-year-old 2022 European Championships silver medallist, for gold on Saturday.
Beforehand Dean Clancy bowed out of the European Games with a ticket to Paris 2024 and a bronze medal. Following an energetic performance against Tokyo silver medallist, three-time world champion, and world number one Sofiane Oumiha of France.
All five judges scoring the bout 30-27.
Meanwhile, Michela Walsh lost out in her featherweight semi-final on a split decision to Amina Zidani of France, 28-29, 27-30, 27-30, 27-30,29-28.
Harrington through to final
Meanwhile, Kellie Harrington progressed to the lightweight final in a unanimous victory over 2016 Olympic champion France’s Estelle Mosselly.
Harrington dominated throughout scoring a 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 victory on the scorecards.
“I was nervous going in there but also felt excited” explained Harrington. “It’s the best with the best and that always makes you perform a little bit better. I felt good in there, so I’m happy enough.”
Harrington faces Natalia Shadrina of Serbia in tomorrow’s Lightweight final at 5:15, Irish time.
Kick Boxing
Elsewhere, Ireland collected more medals in kickboxing. Conor McGlinchey comfortably won his quarter-final against Slovenia’s Erik Zorn in the Men’s Pointfighting 84kg. The Kildare man is now into the semi-finals and has secured at least a bronze medal with a 19-8 win.
Joining McGlinchey with at least bronze and a semi-final place is Tallaght’s Jodie Brown. The current WAKO Senior World and European Champion took a decisive win over Croatia’s Lara Mihalic 12-2.
Earlier, the Irish team secured the first of their medals. Nathan Tait receiving a bye in his quarter-final (74kg Pointfighting). And a win for Bray’s Amy Wall in her 60kg Full Contact bout over Francesca Prescimone of France 3-0. Both will also advance now in search of at least a silver should they win their semi-finals.
