There was more success for Irish boxing this week as the O’Rourke sisters, Lisa and Aoife, both won gold at the European Championships in Bulgaria.

The first triumph for the Roscommon pair came on Thursday when Lisa won gold in the women’s 80kg as she defeated Anastasiia Demurchian of Russia by split decision 4-1.

She comprehensively won after some stellar early rounds, with the judges scoring the bout 29:28; 30:27; 30:27; 28:29; 30:26.

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Lisa O’Rourke of Ireland, right, in action against Anastasiia Demurchia of Russia during their Women’s 80kg final at the European Boxing Elite Championships at Asics Arena, Sofia, Bulgaria. Pic: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile

It was an amazing display from the 24-year-old, who beat Englishwoman Emily Asquitha and Ukraine’s Iryna Lutsak. She now adds European gold to her world gold and silver medals.

‘I’m delighted with myself,’ Lisa told RTÉ Sport afterwards. ‘It’s been a great tournament for me. First one back in a year and I can’t complain about the way it went for me. It’s been a long journey since I had my injury, getting through it all. So to get over the line today it just shows that all the hard work paid off.

‘Look, when the coaches threw it at me, I said: “Why not? What have I got to lose?” It’s always an honour to represent Ireland. It’s a huge honour. They are always going to be tough, whoever you have in the final. Otherwise they wouldn’t be there. I knew I had a tough job at hand, and thankfully it went my way.’

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Lisa O’Rourke of Ireland celebrates with coach Damian Kennedy after her victory. Pic: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile

That was followed the next day by older sister Aoife, who won gold in the women’s 75kg event after her win over Turkey’s Busra Isildar.

The 29-year-old put on a brilliant display in Sofia; after a shaky opening round, she composed herself and ended up winning by unanimous decision in her three-round bout.

Aoife O’Rourke is now a four-time medal winner at the European Championships, with Friday’s win adding to her 2023 gold medal. This time around was very tough, as she had to beat 80+kg world champion, Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska and Russia’s 2025 world champ, Saltanat Medenova, to make it to the final.

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Aoife O’Rourke of Ireland celebrates after defeating Busra Isildar of Turkey in the women’s 75kg final at the European Elite Boxing Championships at Asics Arena, Sofia, Bulgaria. Pic: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile.

It’s truly a great time for women’s boxing in Ireland and, speaking to RTÉ, Aoife thanked all the support she’s received from back home. ‘I don’t know what to think right now, I’m so, so happy. I’m overwhelmed with joy, so delighted.’

She added: ‘I do have phenomenal support back home and I do want to thank everyone: my sponsors, my coaches, my family, my friends. Also the well-wishes that I and Lisa have gotten throughout the tournament. We have massive support behind us.

‘Thanks to everyone. It’s a nice upgrade to bring home gold medals to Roscommon.’