Mullingar boxers on the medal trail

Mullingar is assured of two medal winners at the European Union Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia after local boxers Hughie Myers and David Oliver Joyce won their quarter finals.

Fighting in the 49kg class, Myers saw off the challenge of the 2012 AIBA World Youth champion Oliver Simpson from England on a split decision. While Simpson may have shaded the first round, Myers displayed admirable resilience to win the last two rounds.

Assured of at least a bronze medal, next up for Myers in the semi-finalon Friday is Slovakia'a Stefan Mezei.

Also amongst the medals in Bulgaria is David Oliver Joyce. The lightweight, who fights out of the St Michael's Boxing Club in Athy, recorded a comfortable victory over Dawid Michelus from Poland. The 2008 and 2009 European champion was on the front foot through his unanimous victory and caught his opponent with some big shots. Joyce faces Lithuanian Edgaras Skuddelis on Friday for a place in the final.

The third Mullingar fighter in the Irish squad, Bejing Olympian John Joe Joyce, narrowly missed out a semi-final place and a medal. His bout with Simeon Chamov from Bulgaria finished level on points, but when it went back to the judges Chamov shaded it.