Day 11 of the European Games: Jack Marley qualifies for 2024 Olympics

Ireland have been competing so far, for 11 days at the European Games with highs and lows across a multitude of sports. The games began on June 23rd and will continue until the July 2nd. Kraków and Malopolska in Poland are the host cities and the games are taking place in the Nowy Targ Arena.

Jack Marley confirmed his place on the plane to Paris 2024 with qualification in the Men’s heavyweight semi-final this afternoon.

The twenty-year-old came back from a first-round loss (1-4) to win on split decision (4-1) against Spain’s Enmanual Reyes Pla. Marley will now fight for gold on Saturday.

The Dubliner is the first Irish heavyweight boxer in 27 years to qualify for an Olympic Games, with Cathal O’Grady the last in 1996.

After the win, he said: "I can’t believe it, it was a big mental strain today, everything was going through the head. Unlike everyone else I had to get the bronze first, then qualify, it was just another obstacle in my head that I had to get past, it was tough but we’re here now and I can’t believe it. I’m absolutely speechless."

His teammate, Dean Clancy, bowed out of the European Games with a ticket to Paris 2024 with a bronze medal, following an energetic performance against Tokyo silver medallist, three-time world champion, and world number one Sofiane Oumiha of France.

The Sligoman lost all three rounds, with the experienced Oumiha winning by unanimous decision 5-0 (5-0, 5-0, 5-0).

After the fight, he said: "I came in here, I got three good wins against good lads, qualified for the Olympics, I’m only 21. I’ve a long stretch now between now and the Olympic Games, I’m going to see where I went wrong after this and assess it and see what I can change up. I’ve a long time now until the Olympics to really