BOXING/Four Nations Senior Championship: Fresh from National Senior Championship competition Ireland's boxers were in electric form in the Four Nations International Championship against England, Scotland and Wales at the National Stadium yesterday, writes Pat Roche.

The first session of semi-finals alone saw Ireland claim five final places, with flyweight Conor Ahern, middleweight Darren Sutherland and heavyweight Ian Tims taking the scalps of three reigning ABA champions.

In between featherweight Ross Hickey and Cavan light welter David Nevin were also in winning form.

Ahern got the Irish bid off to an exciting start when he repeated his victory of earlier this season over England's Stewart Langley, winning 9-7.

Sutherland had a one-point verdict over James Degal.

The first session of semi-finals ended on a bruising note with Tims claiming a 27-17 victory over a taller man in Tony Bellew. Tims had Bellew down for a count of eight in the first round and had a comfortable 17-12 lead going into the final session.

The Joyce cousins David Oliver and John Joe and St Michael's Athy clubmate Roy Sheahan also won their semi-finals in the second session.