Barnes and McCarthy progress in European Championships

Belfast fighters Paddy Barnes and Tommy McCarthy are through to the European Championships quarter-finals in Belarus after unanimous points wins.

Twice Olympic light-fly bronze medallist Barnes defeated Welshman Ashley Williams 29-28, 30-27, 30-27.

Commonwealth silver medallist McCarthy overcame Finnish heavyweight Tomi Honkr, with all three judges scoring the contest 30-27.

Barnes and McCarthy will be in quarter-finals action on Wednesday.

Olympic bronze medallist Michael Conlan won his opening fight against Armenian Narek Abgaryan on Monday.

The Belfast flyweight won the three round bout 30-27 30-27 30-27 to reach the quarter-finals in Minsk.

There was agony for Ireland's reigning European champion Joe Ward who suffered a dislocated kneecap with 20 seconds remaining in his light-heavyweight bout when on course for victory.

The Westmeath southpaw was in control of the bout with Poland's Mateusz Tryc and was heading for victory before the injury, which left him unable to continue.

Another Irish reigning champion, light-welterweight Ray Moylette, went out on a unanimous verdict to Huseyin Karslioglu of Turkey.