Roscommon middleweight Aoife O’Rourke and Antrim flyweight Brendan Irvine assured Ireland of at least two bronze medals at the 72nd Strandja multi-nations in Sofia, Bulgaria today.

O’Rourke beat Sennur Demir on a 4-1 split decision and Irvine followed that up with a unanimous verdict over Kosovo’s Bashkim Bejoku.

Big performances from both Irish fighters with O’Rourke, who won bronze at the 2020 Strandja tournament, back amongst the medals at Europe’s oldest multi-nation competition.

Earlier today Michaela Walsh had to settle for a top-eight finish after losing to Russia’s Karina Tazabekova in the quarter-finals in Sofia.

Walsh found the target with the majority of the cleaner punches throughout today’s encounter but the judges leaned toward the opposition on a 3-2 split decision.

One judge scored the fight 30-27 to Walsh, along with a 29-28 score. Three judges scored it 29-28 to Tazabekova who is now guaranteed at least bronze.

Meanwhile, the semi-finals will be decided tomorrow with the finals pencilled in for Saturday.

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria

February 22nd

Last 16 and 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Wildad Bertal (Mauritius) 4-1

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Aneta Rygielska (Poland) 5-0

63kg George Bates (Ireland) lost to Aadkhuja Muydunkujaev (Uzbekistan) 0-5

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Mujahit Ilyas (Turkey) 1-4

February 23rd

Last 16

51kg Niamh Earley (Ireland) lost to Wassila Likhardiri (France) 0-5

81kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) lost to Stephan Hrekul (Ukraine) 0-5

75kg Aofie O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Dobromiro Georgieve (Bulgaria) RSC2

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Yodgoroy Miraeva (Uzbekistan) 5-0

February 24

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) lost to Nune Asatarian (Russia) 1-4

91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Ireland) lost to Singh Manjeet (India) 0-4

February 25

Q/Finals

52kg Brendan Irvine (Ireland) beat Bashkim Bejoku (Kosovo) 5-0

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) lost to Karina Tazabekova (Russia) 2-3

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Sennur Demir (Turkey) 4-1

February 26

S/Finals

52kg Brendan Irvine (Ireland) v Dan Aenov (Bulgaria)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Naoimi Graham (USA)

Irish squad

51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston BC)
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s BC) (Bronze at least)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown BC)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s BC)
63kg George Bates (St Mary’s BC)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea BC) (Bronze, at least)
81kg Emmett Brennan (Dublin Docklands BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Celtic Eagles BC)

Team Manager:Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zauri Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dmitruk

Physio: Lorcan McGee

Please click here for Thursday’s schedule at the 72nd Strandja multi-nations in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Michaela Walsh, Brendan Irvine and Aoife O’Rourke are in action and all three are one win away from at least bronze.

Boxing begins at 12pm and 4pm (Irish time).

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria

February 22nd

Last 16 and 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Wildad Bertal (Mauritius) 4-1

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Aneta Rygielska (Poland) 5-0

63kg George Bates (Ireland) lost to Aadkhuja Muydunkujaev (Uzbekistan) 0-5

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Mujahit Ilyas (Turkey) 1-4

February 23rd

Last 16

51kg Niamh Earley (Ireland) lost to Wassila Likhardiri (France) 0-5

81kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) lost to Stephan Hrekul (Ukraine) 0-5

75kg Aofie O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Dobromiro Georgieve (Bulgaria) RSC2

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Yodgoroy Miraeva (Uzbekistan) 5-0

February 24

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) lost to Nune Asatarian (Russia) 1-4

91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Ireland) lost to Singh Manjeet (India) 0-4

February 25

Q/Finals

52k Brendan Irvine (Ireland) v Bashkim Bejoku (Kosovo)

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Karina Tazabekova (Russia)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Sennur Demir (Turkey)

Irish squad

51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston BC)
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s BC)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown BC)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s BC)
63kg George Bates (St Mary’s BC)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea BC)
81kg Emmett Brennan (Dublin Docklands BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Celtic Eagles BC)

Team Manager:Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zauri Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dmitruk

Physio: Lorcan McGee

Kellie Harrington lost out in her bid to reach the quarter-finals of the Strandja multi-nations in Sofia Bulgaria today.

The Dublin lightweight was beaten on 4-1 split decision by Russia’s Nune Asatarian after three close rounds.

Harrington found the target consistently throughout the three-rounder but her busy and durable opponent was also making her mark.

All five judges awarded Harrington the last round, with the Russian orthodox taking the first and second rounds 4-1.

Galway super heavyweight Gytis Lisinskas lost to India’s Singh Manjeet this evening after a close 91kg + clash.

Manjeet won on a 4-0 split.

Brendan Irvine, Aoife O’Rourke and Michaela Walsh will be in quarter-final action tomorrow with at least bronze up for grabs.

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria

February 22nd

Last 16 and 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Wildad Bertal (Mauritius) 4-1

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Aneta Rygielska (Poland) 5-0

63kg George Bates (Ireland) lost to Aadkhuja Muydunkujaev (Uzbekistan) 0-5

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Mujahit Ilyas (Turkey) 1-4

February 23rd

Last 16

51kg Niamh Earley (Ireland) lost to Wassila Likhardiri (France) 0-5

81kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) lost to Stephan Hrekul (Ukraine) 0-5

75kg Aofie O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Dobromiro Georgieve (Bulgaria) RSC2

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Yodgoroy Miraeva (Uzbekistan) 5-0

February 24

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) lost to Nune Asatarian (Russia) 1-4

91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Ireland) lost to Singh Manjeet (India) 0-4

February 25

Q/Finals

52k Brendan Irvine (Ireland) v Bashkim Bejoku (Kosovo)

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Karina Tazabekova (Russia)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Sennur Demir (Turkey)

Irish squad

51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston BC)
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s BC)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown BC)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s BC)
63kg George Bates (St Mary’s BC)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea BC)
81kg Emmett Brennan (Dublin Docklands BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Celtic Eagles BC)

Team Manager:Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zauri Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dmitruk

Physio: Lorcan McGee

Aoife O’Rourke advanced to the last eight of the 72nd Strandja multi-nations in Sofia Bulgaria this morning.

The Castlerea BC Middleweight stopped Dobromiro Georgieve of Bulgaria in round two of the last 16 three-rounder in a dominant display from the Irish champion.

O’Rourke is now through to the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile Emmet Brennan bowed out to Ukraine’s Stephan Hrekul this afternoon after a close bout in the light-heavy clas.

Niamh Earley also lost today. The Ryston BC flyweight was beaten on a unanimous decision by France’s Wassila Likhardiri after three tight rounds.

Meantime, Michaela Walsh recorded her second win in 24 hours at the expense of Yodgoroy Miraeva of Uzbekistan.

The Antrim featherweight claimed a unanimous decision victory to book her ticket into the last eight where she’ll be within striking distance of at least bronze.

RING A: https://youtu.be/gtsIiD9nM9c RING B: https://youtu.be/f80So6-_F7k

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria

February 22nd

Last 16 and 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Wildad Bertal (Mauritius) 4-1

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Aneta Rygielska (Poland) 5-0

63kg George Bates (Ireland) lost to Aadkhuja Muydunkujaev (Uzbekistan) 0-5

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Mujahit Ilyas (Turkey) 1-4

February 23rd

Last 16

51kg Niamh Earley (Ireland) lost to Wassila Likhardiri (France) 0-5

81kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) lost to Stephan Hrekul (Ukraine) 0-5

75kg Aofie O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Dobromiro Georgieve (Bulgaria) RSC2

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Yodgoroy Miraeva (Uzbekistan) 5-0

February 24

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Nune Asatarian (Russia)

91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Ireland) v Singh Manjeet (India)

February 25

Q/Finals

52k Brendan Irvine (Ireland) v Bashkim Bejoku (Kosovo)

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Karina Tazabekova (Russia)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Sennur Demir (Turkey)

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria February 21/28

Irish squad

51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston BC)
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s BC)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown BC)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s BC)
63kg George Bates (St Mary’s BC)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea BC)
81kg Emmett Brennan (Dublin Docklands BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Celtic Eagles BC)

Team Manager:Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zauri Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dmitruk

Physio: Lorcan McGee

Michaela Walsh will be back in action again tomorrow at the Strandja multi-nations in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Walsh, Niamh Earley, Emmet Brennan and Aoife O’Rourke will be between the ropes.

Ireland experienced mixed fortunes today with two wins and two losess in the Bulgarian capital.

Walsh and Kellie Harrington had their hands raised in victory but Kiril Afanasev and George Bates bowed out following close bouts.

Please scroll down for today’s results.

Click here for Tuesday’s schedule.

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria

February 22nd

Last 16 and 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Wildad Bertal (Mauritius) 4-1

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Aneta Rygielska (Poland) 5-0

63kg George Bates (Ireland) lost to Aadkhuja Muydunkujaev (Ukraine) 0-5

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Mujahit Ilyas (Turkey) 1-4

February 23rd

Last 16

51kg Niamh Earley (Ireland) v Wassila Likhardiri (France)

81kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) v Stephan Hrekul (Ukraine)

75kg Aofie O’Rourke (Ireland) v Dobromiro Georgieve (Bulgaria)

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Yodgoroy Miraeva (Uzbekistan)

February 24

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Nune Asatarian (Russia)

91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Ireland) v Singh Manjeet (India)

February 25

Q/Final

52k Brendan Irvine (Ireland) v Bashkim Bejoku (Kosovo)

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria February 21/28

Irish squad

51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston BC)
52kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s BC)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown BC)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s BC)
63kg George Bates (St Mary’s BC)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea BC)
81kg Emmett Brennan (Dublin Docklands BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91+kg Gytis Lisinskas (Celtic Eagles BC)

Team Manager:Bernard Dunne

Coaches: Zauri Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dmitruk

Physio: Lorcan McGee