Fighting Irish add to medal haul

IRELAND brought out the heavy artillery at the National Stadium yesterday to bring their medal total at the European Union Senior Boxing Championships to five, with Roy Sheahan, Darren Sutherland, captain Kenneth Egan and then, in a sensational super-heavyweight contest, Cathal McGonagle, all winning their quarter-finals to secure bronze medals.

And they all promised plenty of action and excitement today when they join Wednesday night’s quarter-final winner, Carl Frampton, chasing places in tomorrow’s finals.

McMonagle’s 26-12 victory over Frenchman Mohammed Samoudi was spectacular if unexpected. He threw more punches than any other boxer at this tournament and came back from a 7-6 first round deficit to take total control in the concluding rounds.