O'Rourke sisters to fight for gold as they secure silver medals in Sofia

Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke will fight for gold medals at the European Boxing Elite Championships after winning their silver medal bouts in Sofia on Wednesday evening.

Aoife secured a split decision 4-1 victory against Russia’s Saltanat Medenova in the 75kg division.

Both boxers threw a huge volume of punches, mainly in the centre of the ring, and a big right hand from the reigning European champion towards the end of the round secured the opening stanza in the eyes of four judges.

Aoife’s combination shots were proving decisive, and another 4-1 success in the second round meant all she had to do was to stay out of trouble in the final round, which she did, even though one judge, incredibly, gave all three rounds to the Russian.

Aoife will fight for gold on Friday.

Her younger sister Lisa was next into the ring against Ukraine’s Iryna Lutsak for a place in the 80kg finals.

From the opening bell, Lisa went for the jugular, forcing the referee to give Lutsak a standing count in the opening round.

From there, Lisa controlled the fight, winning the bout 5-0 on all five judges' cards to reach Thursday’s final, where she will also box for gold.

*Watch Aoife and Lisa's reaction to their semi-final triumphs below.

Aoife O'Rourke says she's very excited to be heading in to her fourth European final.

The reigning World Champion has won through to finals following a 4-1 win over 2025 World champion, Russia's Saldant Medenova.

Aoife is back in action, and boxing for gold, in Friday's Evening… pic.twitter.com/6C6nZHtfNX

— Boxing Ireland (@IABABOXING) September 23, 2026

Team Ireland's Lisa O'Rourke says her sister's European Elite semi final win moments before she took to the ring gave her a lift.

Speaking to Boxing Ireland's @GrainneWalshBox she says says she didn't want Aoife to be lonely at the finals!

She was utterly dominant in her semi… pic.twitter.com/36YBHh5wgZ

— Boxing Ireland (@IABABOXING) September 23, 2026