European bronze medals for Walsh and Sweeney after semi-final defeats

Michaela Walsh and Shannon Sweeney will take home bronze medals from the European Women's Elite Boxing Championships in Montenegro after they lost their semi-finals on Friday.

For featherweight Walsh it was a rematch with Italian Irma Testa, who ended her Tokyo Games dreams at the last 16 stage in July 2021.

Testa got a unanimous verdict that day but this was a much closer affair as Walsh dealt with her opponent's long reach and rangey style effectively.

In the end a tight 57kg contest went Testa's way on a split decision, an agonising disappointment for the Belfast 29-year-old who performed admirably.

Earlier Sweeney was beaten by Bulgaria's Sevda Asenova in the semi-final of the 48kg class.

Sweeney, who enjoyed a second-round stoppage win in the quarters, landed some clean blows but a cagey, tactical fight went the way of her slick rival.

However, it still represents an excellent tournament for the Mayo fighter.

Seven Irish boxers are guaranteed at least bronze in today's semi-finals, surpassing the previous record of three which was set in 2019.

Next up for Team Ireland is light welterweight Amy Broadhurst who faces Croatian Sara Beram at around 3.15pm (Irish time).

Ireland schedule - Friday 21 October (times provisional):

3.15pm: Amy Broadhurst v Sara Beram (CRO) (63kg light welterweight)

3.45pm: Tina Desmond v Melissa Gemini (ITA) (70kg light middleweight)

5pm: Caitlin Fryers v Anakhanim Ismayilova (AZE) (50kg light flyweight)

4.15pm: Kellie Harrington v Donjeta Sadiku (KOS) (60kg lightweight)

7.15pm: Aoife O’Rourke v Love Holgersson (SWE) (75kg middleweight)