Olympic wrap: Joe Ward loses as Ireland’s boxing struggles continue

It was a relatively quiet day for the Irish in Rio but one of our strong medal hopes remain in firm contention, with Dun Laoghaire sailor Annalise Murphy in the gold medal position she held for so long at London four years ago, but light-heavyweight Joe Ward crashed out to continue a week to forget for Irish boxing, writes Daragh Ó Conchúir.

Having been bulwarking Ireland’s Olympic story for so long, boxing was expected to provide at least two medals and maybe five but with Michael O’Reilly sent home after failing a drug test and two-time Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes beaten in his first fight, it went from bad to worse with the defeat of Moate light heavyweight, Joe Ward on a split decision.