Gold for Sutherland as Irish shine in Zagreb

DARREN SUTHERLAND put the finishing touches to a memorable week for the Irish boxers at the multi-nations tournament in Zagreb, Croatia, by stopping local hope Pol Urgoc Sanjin in the third round of their middleweight final to claim the gold medal.

There were silver medals for Kenneth Egan, David Oliver Joyce, Johnnie Joyce and Irish Examiner Junior Sports Star Ryan Lindberg, who also made it through to their respective finals while light fly Paddy Barnes and flyweight Conor Ahern arrived home last night with bronze medals. Kenneth Egan had to withdraw from his light heavyweight final with an injured hand and will now miss the multi-nations tournament in Poland.

This was Sutherland’s first international assignment since he suffered a career-threatening eye injury against Russia in the National Stadium last May and he came through with flying colours.