Kellie Harrington and Dean Clancy qualify for Olympics with Jack Marley one win

Kellie Harrington has qualified for next year’s Olympics in Paris. The lightweight champion beat Sweden’s Agnes Alexiusson 4-1 to claim Ireland’s first boxing medal of the European Games in Poland and guarantee a place in next year’s Games, where she will defend the gold medal she won in Tokyo.

Harrington boxed a controlled session, narrowly edging out the Swede 3-2 in the first round. With more of the same in the second, Harrington again won it 3-1 with Alexiusson needing a big third round. But Harrington stuck to her task scoring with the left jab, the judges awarding the Irishwoman the fight 4-1.

“I’m overjoyed. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions,” said Harrington.

She will advance in the competition and is now certain of at least a European Games bronze medal.

Fellow lightweight Dean Clancy also stamped his ticket to Paris and guaranteed himself a medal after he defeated Italian Gianluigi Malanga in a unanimous 5-0 decision on the judges’ scorecards.

The Sligo boxer set himself up by taking the opening round 4-1, and the second 5-0. He held on well to take the third 4-1 and with it an unanimous decision in the end.

He referred to that last round afterwards: “It was hard to keep my cool in the corner. I still had three minutes and it’s boxing, you know at the end of the day one punch can change it all so I just went and enjoyed it, and I still won that round.”

On realising his dream of Olympic qualification Clancy added: ‘It’s massive, there’s not many words I could say right now to sum it up, but it’s definitely a dream come true since a young age. I’m so glad that my father came yesterday, he’s supporting me there in the crowd. It’s been a dream of ours since he first got me into boxing. I don’t even know what to say, I’m absolutely thrilled.

“I went to the Youth Olympics in 2018, I got a taste of multi-sport events. I’m looking forward to the senior Olympics now to make the double. There’s really no words that can describe it now. I can’t even believe it – I’m going to the Olympics; I’m only 21!”

Jack Marley was the final Irish fighter in the ring this afternoon, and he secured at least a bronze medal, and booked a spot in the semi-finals, where the winner will secure Olympic qualification, by beating his Croatian opponent 4-1.

Heavyweight Jack Marley has guaranteed himself at least a bronze medal at these Games, and even more importantly a shot at securing Olympic qualification, by defeating Croation Marko Calic on a split decision in his quarter-final (4-1). A win in his semi-final will secure a spot at the Olympics.

The Sallynoggin fighter said: “Another step closer to the dream, we’re nearly there. It’s always been like that. I never look past any fights even just the…