O’Rourke sisters win golds as Ireland finishes fifth at European Boxing Championships

Aoife O’Rourke claimed gold in the 75 kg division at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia, joining her sister Lisa, who had won the 80 kg title the previous day.

The Roscommon sisters now hold ten senior‑level medals between them, eight of which are gold, not counting Lisa’s two U22 European titles from 2022 and 2024.

Irish team performance

Alongside bronze medals from Michaela Walsh and Jon McConnell, the O’Rourke sisters helped Ireland secure fifth place on the overall medal table at the event.

Aoife secured her fifth senior continental title with a 5‑0 victory over Turkish boxer Busra Isildar, while Lisa won her final 4‑1 on points against Russia’s Anastasiia Demurchian in her first bout at the weight.

Other Irish boxers included Jon McConnell, who reached the semi‑final after four wins against Turkish, Polish and Italian opponents, and Michaela Walsh, who earned a bronze after two opening 5‑0 wins and a semi‑final loss.

Fourteen Irish fighters travelled to Sofia, though two‑time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington withdrew with a hand injury and was replaced by Kellie McLoughlin.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels.