Westmeath southpaw Joe Ward is on course for his third European title in Kharkiv, Ukraine, but Antrim’s Brendan Irvine and Kurt Walker had to settle for bronze after losing their semi-finals yesterday.

Irish boxing could surpass its remarkable record at the last five European Championships in Kharkiv, Ukraine this weekend.

Two reversals on split decisions denied Ireland top spot in the medals tables for the second consecutive time at the EU Elite Men’s Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria on Saturday.