Leitrim’s boxing featherweight (54-57kg) superstar Dearbhla Rooney is through to tonight’s semi-final of the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, after a masterclass performance in the ring.
The Glenade boxer who hails from the Sean McDermott Boxing Club, made light-work of her American opponent, Linda Roma Martinez, to win all three rounds on all five judges’ cards. Rooney exhibited great composure in the ring added with top-class head movement and footwork to outbox her opponent. With great timing and an ability to fire off shots with both hands, Rooney and completed the whitewash on the scoring cards with a 30-27 victory.
Speaking of her delight after the contest to @TeamIreland on Twitter, Rooney stated: "I'm absolutely over the moon, delighted with it. I was happy with how I fought. The first fight is always tough, to get it out of the way and get warmed up and ready for the next fight."
BOXING ? Dearbhla Rooney wins her first fight comfortably ?? #teamireland ☘️?? @boxingunionIRL @IABABOXING @oceanfmsport @RTEsport pic.twitter.com/KNCiA3PI3b
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) October 14, 2018
Next up for the European Youth silver-medallist is Thailand's Panpatchara Somnueck who came through a bout with Slovakia’s highly rated Jessica Triebelova. Somnueck is the Asian Youth bronze Medalist and the pair have history after meeting last August at the World Youth Championships held in Hungary. After a fiercely competitive fight, the judges leaned toward the Asian fighter to give her the 3-2 split-decision.
Rooney will fancy her chances as her composed and measured style of boxing may allow her to pick off the more aggressive Somnueck.
The fight will take place on Tuesday at 19:45pm , Irish time and can be viewed here.
If Rooney can get passed the Thailand boxer, she will be guaranteed either a silver or gold medal as she progresses to the final. Should she not be successful, she will progress to the bronze match where she will take on the other losing semi-finalist.
A medal of any kind will be a great reward for the hard-work Rooney has put in so far in her short career. Rooney qualified for the Youth Olympic Games after she won a silver medal at the European Youth Championships last April in Italy.
