Enniscorthy, County Wexford boxer Adam Nolan has secured himself a position in the 2012 London Olympics by defeating Romanian Ionut Gheorghe 19-10 in the 69kg welterweight semi-finals.

Nolan won every round on a scoreline of 7/5, 8/3, 4/2 to secure the win. He will now go on to meet Germany’s Patrick Wojcicki in Saturday’s welterweight final.

Nolan told RTE that he had realized a lifetime ambition. He said, “It’s just unbelievable, I can't believe it, I just can't believe it. It's a boyhood dream.”

Irish head coach Billy Walsh said they are thrilled.

“It was a fantastic result. I know his family. They are big GAA people.

"It's massive for Wexford. He’s the second Wexford boxer ever to qualify for the Olympic Games, following after myself.

"It's nice to see someone else take up the mantle and hopefully do a lot better than I did."

Belfast's Tommy McCarthy sadly missed out on a position. He was up against Vladimir Cheles of Moldova in the 91kg heavyweight semi-final at the AIBA European Olympic Qualifying tournament in Trabzon. He narrowly lost the first two rounds 4-3, 4-3.

McCarthy admitted that he was devastated. He said, “I just waited too long from the first round and it was too late. The last round I was trying to put the pressure on but I should have been doing that for the full three rounds.

“I’m just devastated, four years is a long wait, I’m gutted. At the end of the day, that’s what counts isn’t it? I can’t make any excuses, he done the job on the day and I didn’t.”