Two members of Northern Ireland's 12-strong boxing team, Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock, will compete in their first Commonwealth Games this summer after choosing the competition over a potential appearance on Love Island. Both boxers had progressed through initial auditions for the reality show's 13th series but withdrew due to scheduling conflicts.

McConnell, a 23-year-old light-middleweight who recently competed at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil, faces India's Sumit Sumit on Monday. Holy Trinity's Rock competes in the welterweight division against Niue's Karen Te Ruki Pasene the following day.

"I used to spend a lot of time watching Love Island with the team," said McConnell. "It was never really my idea at first, but Kaci mentioned it and said she'd put my name forward as well. I got through a few stages of the process but then I got selected for the Commonwealth Games."