Castlerea sisters Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke have both secured medals at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia after winning their respective quarter-finals on Tuesday evening.
Aoife, the reigning 75kg world champion, came through a titanic contest against Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska, the reigning world champion in the 80kg-plus division.
The double Olympian claimed a 3-2 split-decision victory, with the judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, 28-29, 28-29 and 30-27 in her favour following three fiercely contested rounds.
Speaking afterwards, Aoife acknowledged the relentless challenge posed by her Polish opponent.
“That girl never gave in, and I’m just thankful that I had the bit of fitness to keep me going through all three rounds with intensity,” she said.
“I know it’s easy looking in for people to say, ‘Just keep her out, you’re taller,’ but my God, she kept coming forward.”
Aoife said maintaining her usual routine during the long wait to enter the ring had also been important.
“It’s just about staying in your little routine, in your bubble with your teammates, and not changing anything,” she added.
“Looking at all the other boxers definitely motivated me to get in today and get a win.”
The victory guarantees Aoife her fifth medal at European confederation level. She will attempt to upgrade her guaranteed bronze when she faces Russia’s Saltanat Medenova in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Her younger sister Lisa then completed a memorable double for Castlerea by defeating England’s Emily Asquith in their 80kg quarter-final.
Asquith entered the contest as the reigning world silver medallist, but Lisa produced another impressive performance to secure her place in the last four and guarantee herself at least a European bronze medal.
The result continues Lisa’s successful return to international competition following a lengthy injury lay-off. She had advanced to the quarter-finals with a dominant unanimous-decision victory over Greece’s Vasiliki Stavridou, forcing two standing counts during the final round.
Both sisters will return to the ring for Wednesday’s semi-finals as they continue their pursuit of European gold.
