Aoife O’Rourke will fight for European gold on Saturday after seeing off Sweden’s Love Holgersson in their semi-final.
O’Rourke reached the middleweight final after a unanimous point’s victory, but was the Castlerea woman was made work for it.
O’Rourke trying to use her reach in the opening round against the taller Swede. In a close opening half to the round O’Rourke landed some solid jabs and a good combo.
However Holgersson started landing some impressive head shots, using the height advantage.
The judges scored the first round 3-2 in favour of the Swe. 10-9, 9-10, 9-10, 10-9, 10-9.
O’Rourke was more aggrieve in the second round using a good right having led southpaw.
Early on O’Rourke landed a big right after leading with the left. The Castlerea fighter landed a right to the head pinning Holgersson in the corner.
The four judges all scored the round 10-9 in O’Rourke’s favour.
O’Rourke commanded the third and final round. Opening with a powerful left. The southpaw landing left’s drawing the swede’s guard for right hook sohts.
Holgersson tired in the final round as O’Rourke’s stamina held to score a unanimous victory across the scorecards.
O’Rourke winning out 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
