Brendan Irvine misses out on Baku gold in split decision

So it's not yet a first European Games gold medal for Ireland, Brendan Irvine narrowly losing out in the light flyweight final to the fiercely competitive Russian, Bator Sagaluev.

Not that Irvine can be overly disappointed with the silver medal, the 19 year-old from Belfast still looking proud in ring, as the decision was called in favour of Sagaluev.

It’s just the 23 year-old Russian had the greater experience and a little too much class Irvine. Sagaluev took the first round (30-27), before things went a little wild in the second, both fighters throwing repeated combinations in an effort to break the other. Still, the Russian was awarded that round too, just about, 29-28: Irvine won the last round, but it was too late, the Russian winning out on a split decision.

Even with the silver, it’s already been a breakthrough week for the 19 year-old from Belfast: Irvine was the first of the Irish boxers to guarantee himself a medal of some colour, and now he could become the first of them to make it gold.

And by making this final bout, Irvine has also earned himself an automatic qualifying spot for the Boxing World Championships, in Doha, later this year - where Rio Olympic qualification places are also up for grabs.

Exactly how that will work out with fellow Irish light flyweight Paddy Barnes - already qualified for Rio, in a quest to win a third Olympic medal - remains to be seen, although there's no doubt that Irvine has this week laid down a flaming marker of his potential.