Updated at 22.30
JACK MARLEY became the first Irish boxer to advance at the Olympics this evening.
The 21-year-old beat Poland’s Mateusz Bereznicki by a split decision, 4-1.
The Dubliner had a scare in the final round as he took a big blow but had been so dominant overall that it proved irrelevant.
“It’s great to get Ireland’s first win over the line,” Marley, who is the first Irish boxer to compete in the Men’s Heavyweight since 1996, told RTÉ
“I was being careful, I wasn’t flying forward like in the first rounds,” he added on his late setback.
Marley is now just one win away from guaranteeing a medal. He competes next in the quarter-final on Thursday evening against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent.
'Always down to who wants it more... I really enjoyed it'
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 28, 2024
Jack Marley delivers Ireland's first win in #boxing. Taking split decision over Bereznicki to move into heavyweight quarter-finals#RTESport #Paris2024
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Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Irish fighters Aidan and Gráinne Walsh at the 2024 Paris Olympics today.
Gráinne Walsh lost to Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori in a round-of-32 encounter.
The Irish fighter was beaten via split decision, 4-1 on the scorecards.
Hamori, who engaged in spoiling tactics throughout, had the upper hand after the first round, as three out of the five judges had her ahead on the scorecards.
The 66kg women’s welterweight fight was still in the balance after the second round, with Hamori again ahead according to three judges.
The Tullamore native needed a big final round to progress but it wasn’t to be as the Hungarian came through a tight contest.
“I wasn’t just coming up here to make up the numbers and I’m miles better than that,” a disappointed Walsh told RTÉ afterwards.
“This isn’t the end of the road and I feel like I’m closer to my peak.
“This is not the last you’ll see of Gráinne Walsh.”
Beaten but unbowed, Gráinne Walsh describes her display against Anna Luca Hamori as "sloppy", but is already looking to the future. #RTESport #Paris2024
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 28, 2024
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Meanwhile, namesake Aidan Walsh’s Olympic campaign is over, exiting the Games in his round of 32 bout at 71k against Frenchman Makan Traore.
The home fighter won 4-0, despite Walsh winning the first round on all five of the judges’ cards 10-9. The Belfast man seemed to be in control in the second round, but a right-hander from Traore changed the dynamic of the fight.
Plenty of perspective from Aidan Walsh in the wake of his defeat to Makan Traore in his 71kg fight. #RTESport #Paris2024
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 28, 2024
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Walsh, who won bronze in Tokyo 2020, had a point deducted for holding in the third as the fight slipped away from him.
That point was crucial as Traore was the winner 29-27 on four of the cards, with the other level at 28-28.
“To be here is a miracle for me. It’s just an absolute privilege,” Walsh, who has been open about mental health struggles, told RTÉ afterwards.
“Regardless of win, lose or draw, it is what it is. I’m healthy, I’m happy.”
Marley’s win was much needed after a disappointing start to the Olympics for the Irish boxing team, with Dean Clancy suffering defeat on Saturday.
Seven Irish fighters overall remain in with a chance of winning a medal.
