COMMONWEALTH Games silver medallist Sean McGoldrick has admitted feeling a tinge of regret after controversially being denied gold in Delhi.

The St Joseph’s Boxing Club bantamweight lost out to the experienced Manju Wanniarachchi in yesterday’s final but it was a decision that left many scratching their heads.

The fight ended 8-8 with the Sri Lankan winning on countback but many observers felt several McGoldrick shots went unrewarded.

But the 18-year-old Duffryn High School pupil refused to be downhearted by his silver medal in his first major international boxing tournament.

He said: “I am over the moon with silver but I am a little bit disappointed because one more point would have secured a gold.

“It was so tough to try and get that one point. It was a very difficult fight but I have done my best.

“He is a solid puncher and the tight defence just did not seem to pay off for me.

“I was hopeful I would get the decision but it has been a difficult three or four weeks being away from home. It just all piled up today and I felt a little bit flat and was not as sharp as I could be.”

McGoldrick had led for the majority of the contest but tired during the third and was caught by a right hook to make it 7-6.

With 40 seconds to go, a tiring McGoldrick connected a straight right to level the contest and in a wild finale both fighters tried to land a punch to win the bout outright.

But despite a couple landing a couple of blows none were scored by the St Joseph’s fighter and the countback decision went to way of the Sri Lankan.

Now McGoldrick will take some time off with girlfriend Abby, who turns 18 today, before continuing his finance and PE course and is already dreaming of what might be in two years’ time.

He said: “This gives me a solid platform for the rest of my career. A silver will be recognised forever and no one can take that away from me. It really sets me up for the future.

“When I get back I will see my girlfriend who I have not seen in ages. It is her 18th birthday today so I would like to say happy birthday to her.

“Then it is back to school – I enjoy school and learning. Career is important to me so I will continue with that.

“But this silver really does set me up for a future in boxing.”

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