SHAUNA O’KEEFFE HAD to settle for a top eight finish at the European Women’s Championships as she lost her quarter-final in Sofia today.

The Tipperary lightweight was beaten on a unanimous decision by Russian Daria Abramova.

After Katie Taylor turned professional, O’Keeffe became her 60kg lightweight successor in the Irish squad for the Europeans.

It was a typical battling performance from O’Keeffe who boxed on, despite needing the ringside doctor to tend to a cut near her right eye.

Abramova’s hit-and-move tactic could very well see her the first woman to claim the 60kg belt following Taylor’s reign.

O’Keeffe was the only Irish boxer in action today, while Christina Desmond, Grainne Walsh and Moira McElligott are in quarter-final action on Sunday. All three meet Russian opponents as they aim for at least bronze medal positions.

Meanwhile, World silver medalist Kellie Harrington was knocked out of the championships yesterday, as she was beaten by Russia’s Aleksandra Ordina on a split-decision.

After the fight, she tweeted: “Really hurting now so Bad. So bad. Speechless and feeling like a broke woman. But I’ll pick myself up and get behind the rest of my team.”

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