Bronze for Matthew McCole as cut forces withdrawal before semi-final

Matthew McCole will return from the 2022 FISU University World Cup Combat Sports in Turkey with a bronze medal.

McCole booked a place in the semi-finals, but the Illies Golden Gloves welterweight has had to withdraw from the competition following a clash of heads.

The ATU Donegal student defeated Hungary’s Soma Mester in his quarter-final, guaranteeing a place in the semi-final.

The bout was stopped in round two after McCole sustained a cut to his head. The judges had sided with McCole in the opening stanza and the Dungloe southpaw was given the decision.

Donegal footballer handed 36-week ban

An initial suspension of 48 weeks was proposed by the CCC, but the Donegal Hearings Committee ruled and handed down a 36-week ban following an incident last month

While the initial prognosis raised hopes that McCole would be able to take his place in the ring for the semi-final, the Donegal puncher’s event is over.

McCole had defeated Mexico’s Marco Ariel Hernandez Albvidrez and Sean Finnegan from Canada via unanimous decisions to advance.

The three-time Irish colleges champion is joined in Samsun, Turkey by Donegal Town native Paddy Gallagher. The former St John Bosco BC boxer is a coach with the Irish team.