Egan out of EU championships

Ken Egan is out of the 2009 European Union Championships after slipping to a surprise 7-6 defeat to Hungarian light heavyweight Imre Szello in Denmark today.

Egan, a silver medal winner at the 2008 Olympics, was targeting his third EU gold on the trot in Odense.

But the Neilstown clubman found himself 3-0 in arrears at the end of the first stanza before levelling affairs in the second frame.

Both boxers found their target in a see-saw third and concluding round - but Szello registered the winning score in the final few seconds to advance to Saturdays 81kg final.

Meanwhile, Donegal ace Willie McLaughlin continued his excellent form at the Championships with a 7-1 win over English light welterweight Scott Cardle this afternoon.

But lightweight Eric Donovan has to be content with bronze after he was beaten 13-7 by England's Tom Stalker.

Earlier today, Irish 2008 Olympian John Joe Nevin beat reigning European bantamweight champion Luke Campbell of England 13-2.

Nevin, the current European Union champion, advanced to the 54kg final after producing a performance which Irish head coach Billy Walsh, who is working Ireland's corner in Odense along with Zuar Antia, described as "world class".

The rest of the nine-man Irish squad will be in the ring for semi finals bouts this evening.