PETER O’Donnell has spoken of his pride at Ireland’s winning of three medals at the European Elite Senior Championships in Bulgaria.
Belfast bantamweight Michael Conlan and Moate light-heavyweight Joe Ward won gold medals this afternoon in Samokov.
Conlan was selected as the Best Boxer of the tournament while Dean Walsh’s bronze medal means that Ireland finished second on the medals table behind Russia.
Raphoe ABC stalwart O’Donnell (pictured above with Conlan) was the manager of the Irish Elite team for the trip.
“It is a great honour to be leading the team on such a successful trip,” he told Donegal Sport Hub from Bulgaria tonight.
“We had great success and everything all week went very well for us.
“It’s brilliant to be looking forward to be going back to Ireland with three medals.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be taking home two gold medals from what is always a very competitive and world class tournament.
“This is another proud day for Irish boxing.”
Conlan, Ward and Walsh (pictured below) have all qualified for the World Championships, as has Adam Nolan, who was beaten by eventual 69kgs winner Onder Sipal of Turkey.
Ward created Irish boxing history, as the 21-year old is now the first Irish male boxer (Katie Taylor has won six European Elite titles) to claim two top of the podium finishes at this level.
Ward took a 30-27-30-27,29-28 verdict against Peter Mullenburg of the Netherlands.
Conlan overcame England’s Qais Ashfaq, whom he had beaten in the Commonwealth Games final last year.
Conlan began at orthodox, but was boxing southpaw by the conclusion against the Leeds man. Conlan never looked in danger of settling for silver with a controlled and comfortable display.
The Irish team is due back in Dublin Airport at 4.55pm tomorrow.
O’Donnell said: “It was a fantastic experience to be with the Irish Elite team this week.
“I have got a lot out of boxing over the years. The sport has been very good to me and this week was another big highlight.”
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