Aoife O’Rourke claimed European championship silver and will fight for gold on Saturday in Belgrade.
O’Rourke had to work for a split decision victory over Busra Isildar of Turkey in her semi-final.
The Castlerea boxer trailed at the end of round one. Even though landing an early head combo, O’Rourke struggled with the Turk’s unorthodox style.
Isildar landing a number of low body shots, while the Castlerea fighter attempted to use her reach advantage. Four judges gave it the Turk, all scoring it 10-9. The sole judge scoring a 10-9 victory to the two time European champion.
Indeed, O’Rourke’s endurance paid off in the second round. A calmer most disciplined approach saw three judges giving O’Rourke the nod. Her defining achievement two good head shots as Isildar’s frantic style paid off.
In a cagy final round, the 26-year-old did enough to convince the judges and score victory with that a place in Saturday’s final.
Elsewhere, it was mixed news for the rest of the Irish team. Shannon Sweeney won her light-flyweight semi-final with Anush Grigoryan of Armenia by unanimous decision.
Whereas, Kellie Harrington must settle for bronze. Harrington lost her lightweight semi-final by Serbia’s Natalia Shadrina on a split decision.
While, Niamh Fay will return home with bantamweight bronze, after her unanimous defeat to Romania’s Lacramioara Perijoc.
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Double Olympian, Team Ireland's 75kg Aoife O'Rourke, has assured herself of at least a 🥈at the 2024 European Elite Championships, following 5-0 semi finals victory over Turkey’s Isildar Busra pic.twitter.com/gQ0IJcdjiY
— IABA (@IABABOXING) April 25, 2024
