Mixed day for Irish in Istanbul as Walsh progresses

Team Ireland registered three victories from four bouts at the AIBA Women's World Championships in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Michaela Walsh, Amy Broadhurst and Cathy McNaul all progressed in their respective weight divisions but Aoife O'Rourke fell foul of a difficult draw and exited in the 75kg class.

In the featherweight category, Walsh defeated USA's Amelia Moore to reach the last-16, her next bout fixed for Friday.

Louth's Broadhurst won a unanimous victory over Croatia's Sara Beram in the 63kg weight class, while Cathy McNaul delivered a dominant performance against Burundi's Ornella Havyarimana at 52kg.

However, Olympian O'Rourke, from Castlerea, was eliminated by formidable opponent, Naomi Melissa Graham of the USA.

Ireland has three fighters in action on Thursday, Belfast's Caitlin Fryers and Niamh Fay in the afternoon against South Africa's Thandolwethu T. Mathiba and DRC's Modestine Munga Zalia respectively. In the evening, Kaci Rock begins her campaign against Lithuania's Austeja Auciute.