Dominant Dearbhla Rooney wins Youth Olympic quarter-final

Leitrim featherweight Dearbhla Rooney joined Dean Clancy in the semi-finals of the Youth Olympic Games following a sensational win in Buenos Aires tonight.

The Sean McDermott’s puncher dominated American Roma Martinez and took a wide unanimous decision in the Argentine capital.

Rooney won every round on every card against the Texan for a 30-27 x5 win.

The European Youth silver medallist will now rematch Thailand’s Panpatchara Somnuek in the semis on Tuesday. Rooney was defeat by the Asian Youth bronze medallist in the opening round of the World Youth Championships during the Summer on a 3-2 split-decision.

In the bout preceeding Rooney’s, Somnuek sensationally stopped Slovak star Jessica Triebelova in the second round. Triebelova had previously defeated Rooney in the European Youth final.

While she has made it to the Last Four, Rooney is not yet guaranteed a medal. The talented teen, however, goes into her bout with Somnuek with two chances of securing one. Should she win on Wednesday, Rooney will be guaranteed a silver and will box for gold in the final.

If not, the Glenade boxer will enter into a box-off with the other losing semi finalist for the one bronze medal on offer – with the Youth Olympics being different to all other major international competitions which reward both losing semi-finalists with bronze.

The other semi-final pits Mexico’s Panamerican silver medallist Jennifer Carrillo against New Zealand wildcard Te Shelford-Edmonds.

There was no joy however for the brave Lauren Kelly who bowed out earlier this evening to Russian middleweight superstar Anastasia Shamonova.

Earlier today Clancy defeated Algeria’s African champion Hichen Maouche on a unanim. The Ballinacarrow flyweight rematches England’s Hope Price for a silver medal tomorrow.

Youth Olympics 2018
Sunday October 14th
Q/Finals
52kg Dean Clancy (Ireland) beat Hichen Maouche (Algeria) 5-0
57kg Dearbhla Rooney (Ireland) beat Roma Martinez (USA) 5-0
75kg Lauren Kelly (Ireland) lost to Anastasia Shamonova (Russia) 0-5

Monday October 15th
S/Finals
52kg Dean Clancy (Ireland) v Hope Price (Great Britain)

Tuesday October 16th
S/Finals
57kg Dearbhla Rooney (Ireland) v Panpatchara Somnuek (Thailand)

Irish coach: Dmitry Dimitruk