Ciara Ginty claims gold and best boxer award at World Women’s Youth and Junior Championships in Bulgaria

Christina Desmond and Jacqui Lynch also take home medals

IABA president Dominic O’Rourke. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
IABA president Dominic O’Rourke. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho

Mayo's Ciara Ginty was celebrating on the double in Albena, Bulgaria on Saturday. The Geesala BC lightweight won gold at the AIBA World Women's Youth and Junior Championships and was also presented with the best junior boxer award.

Claressa Shields of the USA claimed the best youth boxer award after securing gold at the 31-nation tournament. Cork's Christina Desmond and Mayo's Jacqui Lynch (Golden Gloves BC) took home Youth and Junior silver and bronze from the 2nd edition of the Championships.

Ginty beat Turkey's Esra Yildiz in the lightweight final on a split decision to become the only Irish female boxer besides Katie Taylor to win AIBA World gold. Desmond, of the Macroom BC, was edged out on a split decision by Kazakh Gauhar Yermekbay in Saturday's Youth final.

Irish women’s boxing has now claimed 18 medals in the last four months.