The Morning Sports Briefing

Joe Ward home after docked points pay

Wednesday was another poor day for Irish boxing as light-heavyweight fourth seed Joe Ward lost on a split decision to Carlos Andres Mina of Ecuador.

Ward, who received a bye in the opening round, looked weary against a game and relentless Mina and was docked points in the second and third round - and he joins Paddy Barnes and David Oliver Joyce on the list of Irish boxers heading home early.

Murphy leads

However it was a better day for Annalise Murphy, who finished second in the women’s laser radial race six - meaning she now leads the competition overall.

Gold for Uchimura

Elsewhere there was a dramatic gold medal for Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura, who cemented his place as one of the best gymnasts ever following a narrow win in the men’s artistic individual competition.

Sonia O’Sullivan

In her column today Sonia O’Sullivan reflects on the Olympics so far, and particularly the records which have tumbled in the swimming pool, she writes: “The Olympic stage is still the one where so many athletes raise their game, and produce results that they have only ever dreamed of achieving.”

Golf makes Olympic return

Today sees golf return to the Olympics after 112 years. Padraig Harrington represents Ireland’s main medal hope - the three-time Major winner tees off at 11.41pm, with team-mate Seamus Power out in the afternoon at 2.47pm.

Dundalk beaten again

Dundalk’s European hangover continued last night as they were beaten 2-1 by Bray Wanderers - the first time the champions have lost back-to-back games in three years.

GAA Statistics

And in today’s GAA statistics column Eamon Donoghue looks at the average age of football managers, a number which is on the decrease: “This year three of the five managers battling it out in the last eight are under 40. And after the exit of Harte’s Ulster champions, and Colm Collins’s Clare team, the average age for the managers of the semi-finalists is now 44.”