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Gold and silver for Ireland at Under 23 European Championships

Oct 20,2024

Lisa O'Rourke has claimed the European Under-23 light middleweight title in Sofia while Carleigh Irving won silver at flyweight.

The Roscommon woman, who also won world and U22 Euro gold in 2022, was dominant from the off in her final against Belarusian boxer Darya Letsko (competing as a neutral) and was judged the winner by all five judges.

O'Rourke missed out on qualification for the Paris Olympics, which did not include the 70kg weight class she has had most success at.

Irving sustained a cut eyebrow in the first round of her bout against Turkey’s Nursselen Yalgattekin but battled on to the end.

The Derry woman had to settle for silver after a 3-2 split decision in favour of her opponent, on scores of 29:28; 28:29; 27:30; 29:28; 27:30.

Tomorrow, Louis Rooney (48kg) and Patsy Joyce (54kg) both go for gold.