Irish lightweight Katie Taylor moved up to light welterweight to record her first competitive victory of 2008 following an emphatic win over Sweden's Klara Svensson in Cork on Saturday night.
The 20-year-old World and European 60Kg champion from the Bray Boxing Club, beat Svensson - ranked number two in the world at 63Kg - at the Loreto Sports Complex in Fermoy, taking a 27-7 verdict.
Debbie Rogers and Christiana McMahon also chalked up impressive wins - but despite brave performances from Nicola Cody, Ciara Noonan, Marsha Halpin and Laura O'Neill - the Irish selection were edged out 4-3 by the Swedes on Leeside.
Speaking after last night's Ireland vs Sweden clash, Anja Norman, who works as the development officer with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, said she was delighted with the overall performance of the Irish squad.
She said: ‘I feel that women's boxing in Ireland is improving all the time. They took their responsibilities very seriously last night and even though some of our boxers were competing against very experienced opponents they acquitted themselves with distinction and we are very proud of their efforts.’
Meanwhile, Taylor, who defends her World title in November, will box in Russia on St Patrick's Day.
