CARLEIGH IRVING and Thomas Ward will return to Ireland with bronze medals tomorrow from the 2019 European Schoolboys/girls Championships.
Irving and Ward reached semi-finals in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Illies Golden Gloves woman Irving lost out to Jessica Keeton from England in her 46kgs semi-final. Keeton took a unanimous decision win.
Irving guaranteed herself a medal when she defeated Pinar Ozkan from Turkey on a 4-1 split decision in the quarter-final.
Ballyshannon man Ward – who boxes out of the Carrickmore club in County Tyrone – was beaten by Ethan Moore in a 68kgs semi-final.
Ward, Ireland’s vice captain, had beaten Yahor Prudnikau from Belarus on a unanimous decision at the quarter-final phase.
Team Ireland finished fifth in the medals table and fourth in the rankings table at the 30-nation championships.
The tournament concluded this afternoon with Ireland claiming two gold, six silver and 10 bronze.
Dublin’s Adam Olaniyan and Wexford’s Caoimhe Kinsella won titles in the Georgian capital.
Irish boxing has now won 19th gold medals at this level (schoolgirl boxing was introduced in 2018) since the inaugural tournament at Rome 2003.
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