European Games 2015: Brendan Irvine into quarter-finals in Baku

Belfast light flyweight Brendan Irvine clinched a unanimous decision against Bulgaria's Tino Banabakov

Belfast light flyweight Brendan Irvine has booked his place in the quarter-finals at the European Games in Baku.

Irvine, 19, earned a unanimous 30-26, 30-27 and 29-28 decision over Bulgaria's Tino Banabakov.

The Irish hopeful's win sets up a quarter-final on Monday against home fighter Salman Alizada.

Cavan boxer Ceire Smith progressed to the quarter-finals of the women's flyweight division by beating Norway's Camillia Johansen.

Smith earned a 40-36 verdict on all three judges's cards.

On Thursday, Belfast lightweight Sean McComb opened his campaign in Baku by beating Ukraine's Tymur Beliak on a unanimous decision to reach the last 16.

Northern Ireland diver Natasha McManus, 17, missed out on place in the final of the women's 1m springboard after finishing 19th of the 29 competitors.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michaela Walsh will open her challenge against former world and European gold medallist Russia's Elena Savelyeva on Saturday.

Ireland's Olympic champion Katie Taylor will be in action a day later when she takes on the last women to defeat her - Bulgaria's Denista Eliseeva.

Eliseeva defeated Taylor on points at a Multi-Nations event in Bulgaria in February 2011 although it was regarded as a hugely contentious decision.

Since that fight, Taylor, 29, has beaten the Bulgarian on two occasions.