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Irish boxers throughto semi-finals

BOXING: Four Irish boxers marched into the semi-finals of the European Union Championships after convincing victories at the…

Fri Jun 22 2007 - 01:00

BOXING:Four Irish boxers marched into the semi-finals of the European Union Championships after convincing victories at the National Stadium in Dublin yesterday.

Roy Sheahan, Darren Sutherland, Irish captain Ken Egan and Cathal McMonagle go into today's semi-finals just two fights from gold but are guaranteed at least bronze medals following yesterday's wins. Carl Frampton is also through to the last four after winning on Wednesday.

Middleweight Sutherland, from the St Saviours club in Dublin, was in excellent form to set up a last four decider with Italian Ivano Del Monto this evening. Sutherland - ranked third in Europe - was up against Mario Duro yesterday and showcased all his skills to stop the Spaniard on the 20 point rule in round three.

Egan, who has now won four medals since the European Union Championships began in 2003, will meet Mario Sivolija from Croatia in the semi-finals tonight.

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The Egan/Sivolija clash is a repeat of the 2005 European Union Championship final in Sardinia which Egan won to claim Ireland's only gold at this level.

Sheahan, of the St Michael's, Athy club, produced a controlled performance to beat Latvian Dmitris Sostaks. He will now meet Bulgarian Dimitar - a gold medal winner at the 2002 European Championships and Athens 2004 Olympian-in the semi-finals tonight.

Super heavyweight Cathal McMonagle had a thrilling win over French puncher Mohammed Samoudi last night and now meets Romanian Cristian Ciocan tonight.

TENNIS:The four singles quarter-finals of the International Tennis Federation's Futures event at the Brookfield club in Dublin were decided in between the showers yesterday, writes Pat Roche.

There were big upsets when the two top seeds, Australia's Adam Feeney (number one) and second seeded Conor Niland of Ireland were beaten. Julian Maes of France accounted for Feeney after losing the first set - 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, while Niland was ousted by Alexander Sadecky of Switzerland 6-4, 5-7, 7-6.

Maes takes on Sadecky and Slabinsky faces Ebelthithe in the semi-finals today. The doubles semi-finals will also be played today.

ITF Men's Singles: quarter finals: J Maes (Fra) bt A Feeney (Aust) 6-7, 6-4, 6-2; A Sadecky (Switz) bt C Niland (Ire) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6; A Slabinsky (Bri) bt R Durek (Aus) 3-6, 7-6 , 6-4; C Ebelthithe (Aust) bt R Ghedin (Ita) 6-3. 6-4.