Irish in contention as European Championships enter final days play
June 29th, 2009. In: Boccia01/07/2009 - Boccia: Irish in contention as European Championships enter final days play
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Following the success of the Irish squad in the Team & Pair events earlier this week at the European Boccia Championships, the Irish have continued their strong form with no fewer than 5 of the 7 member squad qualifying from their pools in the Individual competition today in Portugal.
Ireland’s Captain, Padraic Moran, led from the front and comprehensively one all his BC1 Pool F matches against Aandalen (Nor) 9:1, Soulonis (Gre) 5:1, and Gleibs (Ger) 10:1. Moran now plays experienced campaigner Antonio Marques (Por) in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
In the BC2 competition, Tom Leahy and Bobbie Connolly were unlucky to draw each other in Pool G. Despite, winning the head to head battle between the two, Connolly was unlucky not to qualify, losing out to her compatriot on points difference. Leahy plays Bernt Meints (Ned) in the last sixteen tomorrow. Jason Kearney had a very convincing display, finishing second of five players in Pool B. Kearney progresses to the last sixteen tomorrow when he will play Nigel Murray (GBR)
In the BC3 event, Ireland has two of the 8 quarter-finalists. Steven Valentine dominated Pool G with victories over Rummukainen (Fin) 5:1, Benharkat (Ger) 5:3, and Pananos (Gre) 4:3. In last sixteen this evening, Valentine had a very significant victory 9:6 over Portugal’s former World Champion, Mario Peixoto, to set up a quarter-final with Luis Silva (Por) tomorrow.
Johnny Cronin had an equally successful day winning Pool E with 2 victories and sole loss after a tie-break. Cronin followed this up with a comprehensive 9:0 victory in the last sixteen over Milkova (Cze), setting up a quarter-final match against Spain’s Jose Rodriguez tomorrow.
Ireland’s final competitor, Gerard O’Grady had a tough pool and was eliminated with 3 losses.
Further information on the 2009 European Boccia Championships as well as a live broadcasting stream are available at www.boccia2009.org
INFO Source - Paralympic Council of Ireland - www.pcireland.ie