NOT FOR THE first time, Ireland’s amateur boxers delivered the goods this week at the EUBC European Elite Championships.

Yesterday in Samokov, Bulgaria, Michael Conlan and Joe Ward clinched gold medals, while Dean Walsh was also presented with his bronze medal after reaching the semi-finals.

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Michael Conlan in semi-final action against Francesco Maietta. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Conlan avoids Maietta's right. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Words of advice for Conlan from coaches Billy Walsh and Zaur Antia. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Conlan and Maietta trade punches. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE Conlan's hand is raised after an excellent performance. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Vitaly Dunaytsev on the offensive against Dean Walsh in the semi-finals. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE Walsh fires back at Dunaytsev. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE A dejected Dean Walsh after his defeat in spite of a spirited performance. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Joe Ward on the way to the ring for his semi-final against Hrvoje Sep. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Ward and Sep in action. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Michael Conlan before his final against Great Britain's Qais Ashfaq. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Ashfaq and Conlan locking horns... Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO ...before taking a tumble to the canvas, MMA-style. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Ashfaq and Conlan embrace after the final bell. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE Conlan celebrates after his victory. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO A delighted Billy Walsh as Conlan is announced the winner. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Conlan gets his hands - and teeth - on the gold. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Dean Walsh on the podium after receiving his bronze medal. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Joe Ward lands a punch on Peter Mullenberg in the light-heavyweight final... Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE ...and another. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE A second European gold medal secured for the 21-year-old from Westmeath. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO The golden boy back on the podium. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE Ward, Walsh and Conlan with their medals. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE Ward and Conlan are the golden duo. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Kostadin Andonov / INPHO Conlan also picked up the Boxer of the Tournament award. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO

Mike Tyson wanted to know what this ‘white mother**ker’ was doing in his house

Conlan and Ward win gold for Ireland at the European Championships