Commonwealth Games: Six NI boxers through to finals in Birmingham
- Published
Amy Broadhurst was on top form in her semi-final success against Cynthia Ogunsemilore
Six boxers from Northern Ireland will fight for Commonwealth Games gold on Sunday after progressing from their semi-finals at the NEC Arena.
Carly McNaul, Amy Broadhurst and Michaela Walsh enjoyed unanimous 5-0 decision victories.
Aidan Walsh and Dylan Eagleson won by split decisions while Jude Gallagher had a walkover after his opponent was unable to fight.
Eireann Nugent lost her semi-final to finish with a bronze medal.
Belfast light-flyweight McNaul bossed the opening two rounds against Uganda's Teddy Nakimuli, who was having her first fight of the Games at the semi-final stage.
Nakimuli improved in the final round to make it a contest but this was a comfortable passage through to the final for McNaul.
McNaul, a silver medallist in 2018, is now one win away from at least a bronze in Birmingham
World champion Broadhurst produced a superb display to dominate her lightweight contest with Nigeria's Cynthia Ogunsemilore.
Broadhurst's relentless punching resulted in Ogunsemilore taking two standing counts in a one-sided fight.
Michaela Walsh outclassed Phiwokuhle Sbusisiwe Mnguni of South Africa and looks sharp for the featherweight final.
Walsh was not required to produce her best with her quick feet and punching power leaving Mnguni struggling.
Her brother Aidan used all his experience and ring-craft to see off Welshman Garan Croft on a 4-1 decision at light welterweight.
The Olympic bronze medallist picked off Croft with his superior movement and accurate punching.
Michaela Walsh's arm is held aloft as she is declared the victory in the featherweight semi-final
Bangor bantamweight Dylan Eagleson went through on a 3-2 decision against Scotland's Matthew Hale.
The teenager impressed with accurate punching on the backfoot as he edged through.
Gallagher didn't have to box to make the featherweight final with Canada's Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh forced to pull out of their semi-final.
Welsh light-middleweight Rosie Eccles was on top throughout against Nugent and won each of the three rounds on the scorecards of all five judges.
Despite a spirited display from Nugent, Eccles was rewarded for her superiority with a 30-25 scoreline on all the judges' cards.
McNaul and the Walsh siblings won silver at the 2018 Games and will be out to go one better in Birmingham.
Rosie Eccles and Eireann Nugent exchange punches in their semi-final at the NEC Arena
McNaul is the first Northern Ireland fighter in the ring on Sunday with her final against India's Zareen Nikhat at 14:30 BST.
Eagleson takes on Abraham Mensah of Ghana (14:45) before Aidan Walsh faces Mozambique's Tiago Muxanga (15:45) and Broadhurst goes up against English opponent Gemma Richardson (16:15).
Gallagher meets Ghanaian Joseph Commey (19:00) before Michaela Walsh (19:15) fights Elizabeth Oshoba of Nigeria.
Meanwhile in badminton, Rachael Darragh lost her women's singles quarter-final 2-0 to Michelle Li of Canada.