Belfast boxer Michaela Walsh claimed gold for Ireland at the European Union Boxing Championships this afternoon in Cascia, Italy.

Walsh claimed a unanimous decision victory against Azize Nimani of Germany in the 54kg final, having seen off Sweden’s Helena Envall in the semi-final.

Remarkably, the 24-year-old was originally left out of the Ireland squad to travel to Italy.

In the other final to involve an Irish boxer, Dublin’s Kellie Harrington came up short after losing a split decision to Finland’s Mira Potkonen, who beat Katie Taylor at last summer’s Olympics. Harrington was fighting in the 60kg weight class.

Today’s results mean Ireland leave Italy with three medals, after Grainne Walsh finished with a bronze following her semi-final defeat yesterday.