Michaela Walsh (blue) in action today

Kellie Harrington and Grainne Walsh are in action at the European Elite Women’s Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria tomorrow.

Harrington boxes in the 8th bout in the 1st session followed by Walsh in the 9th contest in the 2nd session.

Sessions begin at 12pm and 4pm (Irish times).

The Irish pair meet opponents from the Czech Republic and Russia in the last 16.

Earlier today, Michaela Walsh stunned Italy’s current World Elite champion Alessia Mesiano to record her second win in the Bulgarian capital in 24 hours.

The Belfast feather, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, won 29-26,29-26,29-26,29-26,28-27 to book her ticket into the last-eight and also qualify for the 2019 European Games.

Walsh meets Helina Bruyevich of Belarus, an opponent she beat in 2014, in the last-eight for at least bronze on Friday.

Irish boxing is proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane.

European Women’s Elite Championships Sofia, Bulgaria

June 5

Last 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Karriss Artingstal (England) 5-0

June 6

Last 16

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Alessia Mesiano (Italy) 5-0

June 7

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Katerina Humlova (Czech Republic)

69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Iaroslava Iakushina (Russia)

June 8

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Helina Bruyevich (Belarus)

Irish squad

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)

Team Manager: Bernard Dunne
Head Coach: Zaur Antia
Coach: Dmitry Dmitruk
Physio: Muireann Harte

European Women’s Elite Championships Sofia, Bulgaria

June 5

Last 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Karriss Artingstal (England) 5-0

June 6

Last 16

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Alessia Mesiano (Italy)

June 7

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Katerina Humlova (Czech Republic)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Iaroslava Iakushina (Russia)

Irish squad

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)

Team Manager: Bernard Dunne
Head Coach: Zaur Antia
Coach: Dmitry Dmitruk
Physio: Muireann Harte

European Union champion Michaela Walsh got Ireland off to a winning start at the European Women’s Elite Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria today.

The Belfast feather, who celebrated her birthday today, beat English southpaw Karriss Artingstal on a unanimous decision to advance to the last 16.

Walsh will meet Italy’s current World champion Alessia Mesiano tomorrow for a place in the quarter-finals.

Please note that the Walsh versus Mesiano bout is on Wednesday and not Friday as previously advised.

The 57kg draw sheet – here – has it listed for Friday, the program – here – has it listed for Wednesday.

Kellie Harrington and Grainne Walsh are in action on Thursday in Sofia in the last 16 of the tournament which is acting as a qualifier for the 2019 European Games in Belarus.

Likewise, if Harrington and Walsh win tomorrow they’ll book tickets for Belarus.

The tournament continues tomorrow.

European Women’s Elite Championships Sofia, Bulgaria

June 5

Last 32

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Karriss Artingstal (England) 5-0

June 6

Last 16

57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Alessia Mesiano (Italy)

June 7

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Katerina Humlova (Czech Republic)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Iaroslava Iakushina (Russia)

Irish squad

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)

Team Manager: Bernard Dunne
Head Coach: Zaur Antia
Coach: Dmitry Dmitruk
Physio: Muireann Harte

Incident at Bray Boxing Club

“The IABA are horrified that something like this could happen in the setting of a community sports club. Our thoughts are with those affected by this appalling event, their families and friends.”