The Emerald Isle had much to cheer about on Monday when its boxers booked all three of the AIBA World Championship quarter-final places available to them at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan.

William McLoughlin made it three wins in five days with victory over Georgia's Jvania Kakhaber, one of the world's top 30 boxers in the 69kg category. The 23-year-old from Illies, County Donegal, clawed back an early deficit and was helped along by a penalty against Kakhaber in the second round to finish 7-5.

"I didn't know I was tied in the second round," he said. "They just told me I was a few points down. I felt better as the fight went on and wasn't really that tired. It's all about concentration. You can't lose your concentration.

"It's hard to believe I started out in the youths and I'm in the last eight in the World Championships already. During the week I was more focused but today I certainly heard the supporters. It's brilliant to see a few of my family and some coaches in the crowd."

McLoughlin's compatriot Kenneth Egan stepped into the ring immediately after him to face Colombia's Jeysson Monroy Varela in the 81kg category. The 27-year-old Beijing silver medalist from Clondalkin, Dublin took charge of the bout from the outset and the 1.88m southpaw built up a commanding lead to finish 16-7 and move a step closer to the world title.

John Nevin from Mullingar, County Westmeath completed the clean sweep with his 10-4 victory in the 54kg category over Mongolia's Iderkhuu Enkhjargal in the evening session. Nevin took the European Championship title in 2008 but was eliminated from the 2008 Olympic Games by Enkhjargal's compatriot Badar-Uugan.

There was no talk of sweet revenge, however. In fact there was no talk at all as the 19 year-old eschewed the TV cameras and journalists completely. "I don't want to talk about victories. It's unlucky," he said. If Nevin continues his merry dance around the ring, the journalists could be in for a long wait.