‘All of Roscommon have to be proud’ — Antia

Details of the O'Rourke sisters' gold medal fights at the World Boxing Championships have been confirmed
‘All of Roscommon have to be proud’ — Antia

An emotional Lisa O'Rourke with her Team Ireland coaching team of Damian Kennedy, Zaur Antia and Eoin Pluck after beating Natalya Bogdanova in the semi-final of the 70kg division at the World Boxing Championships in Serbia on Friday evening. Picture: INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic

Team Ireland Head Boxing coach, Zaur Antia, has praised Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke for reaching their respective finals at the World Boxing Championships in Serbia, adding that County Roscommon should be proud of their international stars.

The Castlerea sisters came through their semi-finals on Friday to earn a shot at upgrading their silver medals to gold on Sunday evening.

Lisa will face Elena Gaspeshina from Russia in the 70kg final, while Aoife will face Anastasiia Shamonova, also from Russia, in the 75kg final — the boxer she defeated to win European gold for a third time just under a year ago.

Antia, who has been responsible for a hugely successful era in Irish amateur boxing at Olympic Games and at World and European levels, said that the O’Rourke sisters’ honesty and willingness to work hard were the key ingredients in their success.

“Every side, there’s a human being. They’re very pure people, very honest, very hard workers. They do not know what fear is. They will perform to their best until the last second. They always want to deliver.

“All of Roscommon have to be proud, and they will be proud of the O’Rourke’s. I know this, and I want to congratulate them.

“It will be Aoife’s third fight of the games, and I know she will perform to her best. Lisa is the same, she will fight until the end. Until the last second, they will try their best,” he said.

Lisa and Aoife O’Rourke are expected in the ring on Sunday evening at 6.50 p.m. and 7.05 p.m. respectively for what could be a red-letter evening in the history of international sporting achievements for County Roscommon.

Aoife O’Rourke celebrates winning her 75kg semi-final with her coach Zaur Antia at the World Boxing Championships in Serbia on Friday afternoon. Picture: INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic
Aoife O’Rourke celebrates winning her 75kg semi-final with her coach Zaur Antia at the World Boxing Championships in Serbia on Friday afternoon. Picture: INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic

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