Egan, a silver medal winner at the 2008 Olympics, was targeting his third EU gold on the trot in Odense.

But the Neilstown clubman found himself 3-0 in arrears at the end of the first stanza before leveling affairs in the second frame.

Both boxers found their target in a see saw third and concluding round - but Szello registered the winning score in the final few seconds to advance to Saturdays 81Kg final.

Meanwhile, Donegal ace Willie McLaughlin continued his excellent form at the Championships with a 7-1 win over English light welterweight Scott Cardle this afternoon.

But lightweight Eric Donovan has to be content with bronze after he was beaten 13-7 by England's Tom Stalker.Earlier today, Irish 2008 Olympian John Joe Nevin beat reigning European bantamweight champion Luke Campbell of England 13-2.

Nevin, the current European Union champion, advanced to the 54Kg final after producing a performance which Irish head coach Billy Walsh, who is working Ireland's corner in Odense along with Zuar Antia, described as "world class".

The rest of the nine man Irish squad will be in the ring for semi finals bouts this evening.

Thursday June 18th (Semi Finals)

51Kg:Declan Geraghty (Ireland) v Joe Gage (Wales) (evening)

54Kg:John Joe Nevin (Ireland) beat Luke Campbell (England) 13-2

57Kg:David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) v Michal Chudecki (Poland) (evening)

60Kg:Eric Donovan (Ireland) lost to Thomas Stalker (England) 7-13

64Kg:Philip Sutcliffe (Ireland) v Bradley Saunders (England) (evening)

69Kg:Willie McLaughlin (Ireland) beat Scott Cardle (England) 7-1

75Kg:Darren O'Neill (Ireland) v Bogdan Juratoni (Romania) (evening)

81Kg:Ken Egan (Ireland) lost to Imre Szello (Hungary) 6-7

91Kg:Con Sheehan (Ireland) v Warren Baister (England) (evening)

2009 European Union Championships Results & Draw

Monday June 15th (last 16)

69Kg:Willie McLaughlin (Ireland) beat Erkan Bingol (Turkey) RSC2

81Kg:Ken Egan (Ireland) beat Constantin Bejenaru (Romania) 18-4

Tuesday June 16th (Last 16)

57Kg:David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) beat Denis Ceylan (Denmark) 11-8

64Kg:Philip Sutcliffe (Ireland) beat Steven Sharoudi (Scotland) RSC2

75Kg:Darren O'Neill (Ireland) beat Ulus Kaya (Turkey) RET2

Tuesday June 16th (Quarter Finals)

54Kg:John Joe Nevin (Ireland) beat Mateusz Mazik (Poland) 13-1

81Kg: Ken Egan (Ireland) beat Eric Skoglund (Sweden) 10-6

Wednesday June 17th (Quarter Finals)

51Kg:Declan Geraghty (Ireland) beat Nordine Ait Ihay (France) 12-0

57Kg:David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) beat Ian Weaver (England) 9-6

60Kg:Eric Donovan (Ireland) beat Husnu Kocabas (Holland) 12-1

64Kg:Philip Sutcliffe (Ireland) beat Marcin Legowski (Poland) 14-4

69Kg:Willie McLaughlin (Ireland) beat Ladislav Takecs (Slovakia) 13-4

75Kg:Darren O'Neill (Ireland) beat Eneste Glodi (Norway) 13-2

Irish squad 

51Kg (Flyweight) Declan Geraghty (Dublin Docklands)

54Kg: (Bantamweight)John Joe Nevin (Cavan)

57Kg: (Featherweight) David Oliver Joyce (St Michael's Athy)

60Kg: (Lightweight) Eric Donovan (St Michael's Athy)

64Kg: (Light welterweight)Philip Sutcliffe (Crumlin)

69Kg: (Welterweight) Willie McLaughlin (Illies GG)

75Kg: (Middleweight) Darren O'Neill (Paulstown)

81Kg: (Light heavyweight) Ken Egan (Neilstown)

91Kg: (Heavyweight) Con Sheehan (Clonmel)

Team Manager: Des Donnelly

Coaches: Billy Walsh & Zuar Antia

R&J: Larry Durand

Physio: Conor McCarthy

Strength & Conditioning: Peter Cleary

Sports Psychologist: Gerry Hussey.