Updated 5.39pm

IRELAND’S BOXERS HAVE again delivered on the international stage.

Ray Moylette and Joe Ward won their respective finals at the European Championships in Turkey earlier.

First Moylette sealed a gold medal, beating  England’s Thomas Stalker with a very convincing display. He eventually ran out the 18-10 victor. The judges scored the rounds: 5-5, 7-3, 6-2 in favour of the at St Anne’s BC Westport light-welterweight.

Subsequently, Joe Ward belied his 17 years with a mature performance again Russian Nikita Ivanov. Ward won out, 20-12.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has congratulated the pair. “This is an outstanding achievement,” she said, “I am delighted for Ray Moylette and his family who I have known for many years and I have followed Ray’s progress in boxing since he was a child. I sent him a text after the semi-final telling him to believe in himself and that he would finish the job if he did.

“His European gold is a wonderful achievement and makes him a proven contender for a shot at an Olympic title.

“I wish him and Joe Ward every success in the future. Joe’s grit and determination led him to a decisive victory at his first major championship as a senior international boxer and his great win heralds a very bright future. I would also like to pay tribute to the Irish boxing authorities who have achieved a standard of excellence in recent years which is shown in the many medals won at European, World and Olympic level. Irish boxing continues to punch above its weight and is a credit to all,” he added.