O'Rourke sisters punch their way to two guaranteed medals for Ireland
Ireland are guaranteed two medals at the European Boxing Championships after sisters Aoife and Lisa O'Rourke won their quarter-finals in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Victory in the last eight secures at least bronze. In amateur boxing, both beaten semi-finalists receive a bronze medal without a box-off, so their places on the podium are already safe. Both semi-finals take place on Wednesday. BBC Sport
Aoife struck first in a battle of world champions. The current world middleweight champion edged Poland's Agata Kaczmarska 3-2 on points. That is a split decision, where judges disagree and the majority verdict wins.
It was a tight, tense call. Kaczmarska arrived as the reigning 80+kg world champion, a heavier fighter competing down in weight. Aoife held her shape under pressure and took three of the five judges' cards. She now meets Russia's Saltanat Medenova in Wednesday's semi-final.
Lisa was more convincing. She beat England's Emily Asquith by unanimous decision in their light-heavyweight quarter-final. Unanimous means every judge scored the bout the same way.
Lisa, who claimed world gold in 2022, controlled the scoring throughout and never let the verdict look in doubt. She faces Ukraine's Iryna Lutsak in Wednesday's semi-final, with a place in the final on the line.
What makes this stand out is the family thread running through Ireland's campaign. Two sisters. Two different weights. One shared result. Ireland travelled to Sofia with a 14-fighter team for the 2026 European Elite Boxing Championships, and the O'Rourkes have become its driving force.
The sisters understand this stage. Aoife fights with the calm of a world champion used to long tournaments. Lisa brings fast hands and sharp movement, the style that once took her to the top of the world podium.
For fans new to the amateur game, Wednesday is simple. Win and you fight for gold. Lose and you still leave with bronze. No extra fight for third place. That is why quarter-final night carries such noise and relief in equal measure.
It was a mixed day elsewhere for Team Ireland. Jack Marley lost 4-1 on points to Georgia's Georgii Kushitashvili. Evelyn Igharo lost by unanimous decision to England's Chantelle Reid in the 70kg quarter-final. Daina Moorehouse went out 4-1 to Spain's Laura Fuentes Fernandez at flyweight.
For fans, this means two live medal chances to follow. The O'Rourkes are one win from fighting for European titles. Even in defeat, they come home as European medallists.
