Five northern boxers to go for gold

Boxing:After a highly successful day in the ring, light-flyweight Paddy Barnes was one of five Northern Ireland boxers who earned themselves a chance of winning gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

Barnes, Olympic bronze medallist, guaranteed himself at least a silver medal when he won his semi-final against India’s Amandeep Singh at the Talkatora Stadium today. The sharp-puncher tamed his rival to such an extent that the local crowd were hardly given a chance to get into the contest, edging into the lead and tightening up well to skate to a 5-0 victory.

Barnes, who will fight Jafet Uutoni of Namibia in his Wednesday final, said: “I’m over the moon with my performance. I could have thrown more punches but I didn’t want to waste my energy for the final.”

Light-heavyweight Thomas McCarthy came good in the final round to see off rugged Kenyan Joshua Makonjio 9-4. Makonjio had briefly reduced the deficit to a single point but a brilliant left counter put McCarthy back in a dominant position and he pulled away ultimately to make it through with ease.

Lincoln-born Scotland heavyweight Callum Johnson eased past Welshman Jermaine Asare with the referee calling the contest off with Johnson holding an 11-1 lead.

The result left Asare with a bronze medal and propelled Johnson to the final against McCarthy. Johnson said: “I’m boxing very well but I’m determined to keep my feet on the ground until I’ve got the gold.”

Paddy Gallagher secured at least silver after he survived a frantic final minute to beat Dilbag Singh 5-4 in their welterweight semi-final meaning Gallagher will box for gold against Callum Smith on Wednesday.

Gallagher had boxed well behind a tight guard to build a 5-2 lead heading into the last round but a frantic late assault by his opponent left him to cling desperately on as the final seconds ticked by.

His final opponent Smith pulled out a winning shot with five seconds left in the final round to see off Carl Hield of the Bahamas 4-3.

Middleweight Eamonn O'Kane always looked in control of his bout against Wales' Keiran Harding before winning 12-6. He will now take on Anthony Ogogo in the final after the English boxer booked his place with a 4-3 win over India's gold-medal favourite, Vijender Singh.

Heavyweight Steven Ward rounded off a great day for Irish boxing with his 6-1 win over Scotland’s Stephen Simmons to set up the decider against England’s Simon Vallily.