Could Thursday, August 11 be the day when Ireland’s Olympic fortunes turned around?
Let’s hope so.
Steven Donnelly is one fight away from an Olympic medal.
The Ballymena welterweight is into the last eight at Rio 2016 after winning a split decision over Mongolia’s Tuvshinbat Byamba.
Donnelly had the better of the first round, got tagged a couple of times in the second but rallied well in the third. Two judges felt he had the edge and scored it 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29 in Donnelly’s favour.
Post-fight, Donnelly, who was sporting a nasty cut above his left eye, told RTE:
“It was a really tough fight… I dug in to the very end and here I am. I won my first two fights and I’m flying.”
Up next, if he wants a medal, Donnelly will have to get by Moroccan world champion Mohammed Rabii.
Medals don’t come easy.
Following the defeats of Paddy Barnes, Joe Ward and David Oliver Joyce, this is a much needed boon for Team Ireland. Brendan Irvine, Michael Conlan and Katie Taylor are still in with medal shouts.
