European Games: Brendan Irvine secures Ireland's first Baku medal

Brendan Irvine produced a masterful display against Azerbaijan's number one seed Salman Alizada

Belfast boxer Brendan Irvine clinched Ireland's first medal at the European Games as he produced a masterful display in his quarter-final.

Light-flyweight Irvine, 19, beat home fighter and top seed Salman Alizada on a split decision in Baku to guarantee himself at least a bronze medal.

Alizada won the European title in 2011 but was out-boxed by St Paul's fighter Irvine in the last two rounds.

Eight other Irish boxers have also reached quarter-finals in Azerbaijan.

All three judges scored the opening round for the Azerbaijan boxer but a determined fightback from Irvine saw him level it up on two cards heading into the last round.

Irvine was convincing in that final three minutes to be awarded the final 10 points by all three judges, taking a split decision 29-28 29-28 28-29.

The Belfastman will fight on Wednesday for a place in the final.

Cavan fighter Ceire Smith missed out on a medal after being edged out on a split decision by Russia's Saina Sagateva in a tight quarter-final.

The fight was close all the way but it didn't appear as though Smith could have great complaint with the verdict.

Clonmel super-heavyweight Dean Gardiner was defeated 3-0 by France's Tony Yoka of France later on Monday while Katie Taylor will be among six Irish fighters taking part in quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Donegal badminton player Chloe Magee has lost her opening singles group match against Estonia's Kati Tolmoff 21-18, 21-17.

Magee and her brother Sam beat their Czech opponents 21-11, 19-21, 21-14 in their opening mixed doubles game on Monday evening.

However, Sam Magee and the other Magee sibling Josh were defeated 21-17, 21-16 by Denmark in the men's doubles.