IT is a fickle relationship the sports-watching public have with those at whose altar they so often worship.

BELFAST’S John Paul Hale announced his arrival on the elite international stage when he advanced to the quarter-final of the European Championships with a power-packed display yesterday.

MICHAEL Conlan will headline a 12-fight card at the Feile an Phobail in Falls Park on August 6 determined to bounce back against an unnamed but “recognisable, credible opponent”.

THE last six months have been a whirlwind for Dylan Eagleson – but the talented teenager hopes he can help Ireland maintain its momentum on the international stage when he steps between the ropes at the European Championships in Armenia.

GOLDEN girls Amy Broadhurst and Lisa O’Rourke joined an exclusive club of Irish World champions yesterday – and coach John Conlan believes the pair are still getting better after helping Ireland top the medals table in Istanbul.

TIERNAN Bradley extended his knockout streak to three with a comprehensive victory against out-classed Janos Penzes at the Europa Hotel on Saturday night.

THERE was disappointment for Belfast duo Michaela Walsh and Carly McNaul in Istanbul yesterday – but Amy Broadhurst and Lisa O’Rourke are both among the medals, and the money, after continuing their World Championship odyssey.

TIERNAN Bradley makes his Irish debut on tonight’s ‘Redemption’ bill at the Europa Hotel.

A WEEK may be a long time in politics, and election fatigue has long since set in a week down the line, but the folks on the hill have nothing on Irish amateur boxing.

?THE afterglow of Katie Taylor’s momentous Madison Square Garden triumph has inspired the latest crop of Irishwomen going for world glory, according to head coach Zaur Antia.

ERIC Donovan headlines the bill as MHD Promotions continue their fight night series at the Europa Hotel on Saturday night with ‘Redemption’.

EXPERIENCED coach Harry Hawkins says he is “absolutely stunned” by the omission of light-heavyweight Kane Tucker from the Northern Ireland boxing team bound for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

COMMONWEALTH Games head coach Damien Kennedy has defended the selection process used to pick the team bound for Birmingham this summer.

THE Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) hopes that Bernard Dunne will “reconsider” his decision to resign as High Performance director.

OLYMPIC star Aidan Walsh has credited Bernard Dunne with helping turn his boxing career around, in the wake of the Dubliner’s resigning from his role as Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) High Performance director.

AFTER being held up while an appeal process played out, the wraps have finally been taken off the team bound for this summer’s Commonwealth Games – with 13 boxers in the mix for medals in Birmingham.

"When you actually go up, and it's pitch black, then you get to the top and the sun comes up and the light shines through, in that moment you do feel a little bit of hope." - Marissa Callaghan on Darkness Into Light

AS you grow older, eventually there comes a point when you learn your limits. The weekend past told Michaela Walsh that wisdom was now in her corner.

THE undercard of Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano II would be the perfect stage for the first-ever Irish female professional title fight says Kristina O’Hara, who progressed to 2-0 with a points win in Sheffield last Saturday night.