Carly McNaul scores sensational comeback stoppage to claim Commonwealth bronze

Carly McNaul has this morning secured a seventh medal of the Commonwealth Games for Irish boxers

The Belfast flyweight was in quarter-final action this morning in Australia and defeated Nigerian Ayisat Oriyomi in sensational fashion

The last Northern Irish fighter to begin their campaign, McNaul lost the first round against the tough African who started quickly.

McNaul came steaming out in the second, forcing Oriyomi back, walking through shots, and the Nigerian thrice went down to one knee under pressure and the towel was eventually thrown in – leading to the bout being deemed, officially, as abandoned in the Irishwoman’s favour.

None of the visits to the canvas came from a shot, with the physical strength of McNaul simply seeming to have exhausted Oriyomi who could no longer even hold her hands up.

Earlier today Belfast flyweight Brendan Irvine and Ballymena middleweight Steven Donnelly both guaranteed bronze medals while Belfast light fly Kristina O’Hara upgraded to silver. Belfast lightweight Alanna Nihell, however, was eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

McNaul joins Donnelly, Irvine, Aidan Walsh, Michaela Walsh, and Kurt Walker in the semi-finals at the weekend, while O’Hara faces Indian legend Mary Kom in the 48kg final.

There is one more Irish fighter in action today, Belfast lightweight James McGivern. The St George’s stylist takes on Mauritian veteran Jean John Colin in the 60kg quarters at 11:00am, and a win over the former African champion will seal a bronze for the 20-year-old.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)