Birthday boy Nevin books place in Euro final

Mullingar boxer John Joe Nevin has celebrated his birthday in style by booking a place in the final of the European boxing championships. 

The Mullingar native turned 24 today (Friday) and produced a stylish performance to defeat Russia's Vladimir Nikitin in the semi final of the championships in Minsk, Belarus.

Sticking to his formula of boxing on the back foot, hitting and (for the most part) not getting hit, Nevin won two of the three rounds on all three judges' scorecards.

His opponent finished strongly, winning the final round, but by that stage Nevin had done enough.

With a minimum of a silver medal already secured, Nevin will now go for gold in tomorrow's final.

On Twitter, former Irish boxer Kenny Egan, who was ringside in Minsk, said: 'John Joe Nevin looked really good and composed, made the Russian look novicey at times.'

Nevin's victory, along with excellent wins by Paddy Barnes and Jason Quigley in their semi finals, guarantees at least three silver medals for Ireland with Michael Conlan still to box in his semi final later today.