GOLD- Lisa O’Rourke Crowned European Champion
Lisa O’Rourke claimed European GOLD in Sofia today.
The Roscommon native climbed to the top of the podium courtesy of her fourth win in the tournament.
The superbly talented 24-year-old won a thrilling, power-driven final to prove herself the best 80kg fighter on the Continent.
The Castlerea native dominated Russian Anastasiia Demurchain, winning wide on three cards, close on one and losing the fifth.
A score of 29:28, 30:27, 28:29, 30:27, 30:26 was enough to see the younger of two boxing siblings add European gold to the World gold she already has on the mantelpiece.
The European champion’s older sister, Aoife O’Rourke, will look to make it two golds for Ireland, Roscommon, Castlerea and the household tomorrow when she boxes for a fourth European gold medal.
Michaela Walsh couldn’t find her way into Friday’s final day, after losing a tight and tense featherweight semi final to Kukhta Vlagyszlava of Hungary.
The Belfast favourite and one of Irish boxing’s most decorated amateurs will return home with bronze.
