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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Dean Clancy dedicates win to deceased Grandad as he qualifies for Olympics

Dean Clancy dedicated his win at the European Games in Poland to his deceased Grandfather as he qualified for next year's Olympic Games.

Holding the lead on all five judges' scorecards heading into the final round, the Sligo star stayed out of trouble as he cruised to a unanimous win over Gianluigi Malanga of Italy.

The win secured qualification for next year's Games in Paris, but while the 21-year-old was ecstatic at the win he took a moment to pay tribute to his Grandfather, Tony, who passed away on Saturday.

READ MORE: Amy Broadhurst 'heartbroken' after Olympic dreams ended with defeat

Tony passed away on Saturday morning, with Dean only finding out about his Grandfather's death after his first-round win on Sunday.

Dean Clancy celebrates his win. (Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

"I just want to dedicate that fight to my Grandad who passed away on Saturday," said Clancy.

"He's been laid to rest today. That was for him. "He's looking down happy. He was a massive supporter of mine."

With his father in the stands, Clancy produced the performance of a lifetime as he booked his place aboard the plane to Paris in a little over 12 months' time.

While he struggled to put his emotions into words after the fight, Clancy acknowledges that it is a dream come true for both himself and his father.

"Massive, there are not many words I can say right now to sum it up. It's definitely a dream come through since I was a young age.

"Glad that my father came down yesterday, he's supporting me there in the crowd. It's a dream of ours since he first got me into boxing. I don't know what to say, I'm absolutely thrilled.

"I went to the Youth Olympics in 2018 and got a taster of a multi-sport event, and I'm just looking forward to the senior Olympics now.

The youngster has seemed completely at ease in the pressure cooker environment that is these European Games. He puts that down to simply loving what he does.

"I just enjoy it. I enjoy boxing. When I'm out there and I'm enjoying it - I'm a great tournament boxer I find and all the coaches have said it themselves.

"When I just go out and enjoy it I'm a dangerous fighter. I know when I'm focused I'm a very hard man to beat.

"There are no words to describe it. I'll be on the bus home and I still won't be able to believe it."

The victory guarantees an Olympic debut next year. But Clancy still has work to do, and with the pressure off, he's gunning for gold in Krakow.

"I'm still in competition. I've secured one goal and now it is onto the next. Change that colour.

"First silver, then gold."

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