Kellie Harrington and Caitlin Fryers add to medal deluge in Montenegro

Kellie Harrington and Caitlin Fryers have guaranteed themselves at least bronze medals after quarter-final victories at the European Boxing Championships in Montenegro.

Olympic lightweight champion Harrington was given a tough test by England's Shona Whitwell, winning a tactical battle on a 3-2 split decision.

Harrington was on the front foot from the start and while her elusive opponent landed a couple of counters, the Dubliner connected with several straight rights and took the round on three of the five judges' cards.

Whitwell started the second stanza well with a crunching left but Harrington imposed herself as the round wore on, working the body and rocking the Englishwoman with a solid hook to move 20-18 ahead on three cards, the other two judges again scoring it the opposite.

That meant only a stoppage in the third could deny the 2018 world champion and with Whitwell now forced to attack, Harrington was able to stay out of danger and pick off her opponent, this time getting the nod all round for a 30-27 30-27 30-27 28-29 28-29 victory.

Earlier, Belfast light flyweight (50kg) Fryers won a split decision (3-2) over Bulgarian Zlatislava Chukanova, having gone into the last round with a comfortable lead.

The results mean that Ireland will now have a minimum of six medal winners following quarter-final triumphs for Amy Broadhurst, Christina Desmond, Shannon Sweeney and Michaela Walsh on Tuesday.

Welterweight Kaci Rock from Enniskerry Boxing Club and 2019 European middleweight champion Aoife O'Rourke are in quarter-final action from 4.30pm today.