Offaly's Gráinne Walsh off to winning start at world boxing championships

Tullamore boxer Gráinne Walsh got her World Boxing championships campaign off to a winning start in Liverpool today (Friday) when she defeated Slovakia's Jessica Triebelova by unanimous decision.

It was an excellent display from the 29-year-old against Tribelova (24), a former European bronze medallist who, like Walsh, competed at the Olympics in Paris last year.

In this round of 32 bout, Walsh got into her rhythm early. Boxing cleverly on the back foot, she landed the cleaner punches in an opening round which she took on all five of the judges' scorecards.

Tribelova - knowing that she was up against it - made a fast start to the second round and got through with a couple of snappy shots, but Walsh maintained her composure and finished the round well, taking it on four of the judges' cards.

While knowing that she now held a commanding lead, Walsh finished the contest with a dominant third round, moving fluidly and landing some impressive combinations.

Walsh will now be back in the ring on Monday evening, when she will face Spain's Mariana Soto Torres in the last 16, before a potential medal bout in the quarter finals next Wednesday. Soto Torres recorded a unanimous points win against a Ukrainian opponent in her round of 32 contest today.

Offaly's other representative at the championships, Daingean's Brian Kennedy, received a bye in the opening round and will enter the ring on Tuesday evening in the last 16 of the 85kg category.

The world championships in Liverpool are being streamed live on Eurovision Sport. Registration is required, but the bouts are free to view.