Ward and Gallagher have to settle for Bronze

Joe Ward and Charles Gallagher had to settle for bronze medals at the European Junior Championships in Bulgaria this afternoon despite brave semi-final performances in Plovdiv.

Ward, from the Moate club, was beaten 20-6 by Russian light welterweight Avak Uzlyan, and Gallagher, from the Saints club in Belfast, suffered a 20-7 reversal to Polish light heavyweight Cezary Samelko.

Today's defeats brings Ireland's involvement in the tournament to a conclusion.

Irelands Paddy Harkin, from the St Bridget's club, and St Michael's Athy ace David Joe Joyce won bronze medals at the 2007 tournament, then called the European Cadet Championships.

Thirty three nations are competing in Bulgaria.