Michaela Walsh and Kellie Harrington got off to winning starts on the first day of the Strandja multi-nations tournament in Sofia.
The pair were among four of the nine-strong Irish team that were in action today but the other two competitors, George Bates and Kiril Afanasev, lost their preliminary bouts.
Walsh beat Widad Bertal of Morocco on a 4-1 split in their featherweight contest while light-welterweight Harrington was assured in securing a unanimous decision victory over Poland's Aneta Rygielska as both Irish women enjoyed a victorious return to the ring after a year without competitive action.
Bates lost comprehensively to Aadkhuja Muydunkujaev of Ukraine (0-5) at 63kg while heavyweight Afanasev lost 4-1 to Mujahit Ilyas of Turkey (91kg).
Three more Irish boxers are due in the ring tomorrow in last 16 contests, with Niamh Earley facing French opponent Wassila Likhardiri (51kg), Emmet Brennan taking on Stephan Hrekul of Ukraine (81kg) and Aoife O'Rourke going in against Dobromiro Georgieve of Bulgaria (75kg).
