The fallout continues from the McLaren report into potential corruption at the 2016 Olympics boxing tournament and this morning Johnny Watterson reports that Katie Taylor's defeat to Mira Potkonen of Finland is one of those listed as "suspicious". The bout was Taylor's last as an amateur and brought to an end her hopes of winning back-to-back gold medals after success in London in 2012. At the time the defeat caused huge controversy and now it appears those questions over the integrity of the judging are rearing their head again, days after Michael Conlan had called for corrupt officials from the Games to face criminal charges.
On to rugby and the IRFU yesterday informed those eligible to buy tickets for the upcoming November internationals that attendances may still be limited to 75 per cent with a requirement to show a Covid certificate. On October 22nd almost all remaining restrictions are due to lift in Ireland, opening the doors for full attendances at sporting events, but yesterday the IRFU emailed prospective ticket holders to inform them that the matches against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina may not have 100 per cent capacity - something that would be another hit to the finances of the union. Meanwhile, Gerry Thornley writes in his column this morning that the South African sides will be a benefit to the United Rugby Championship in the long run, despite a difficult start across the board. "We have yet to see anything like the full impact which the South African sides might provide, and they might not provide it for some time yet. So the jury is still out," he writes.
In GAA, the Kerry county board chairman Tim Murphy last night strongly defended the process of appointing Jack O'Connor as manager, hitting out at media reports that the returning coach had been promised the job while Peter Keane was still in position. O'Connor was ratified as manager of the Kingdom for a third time at the meeting last night with Murphy saying that "the suggestion that it was a done deal going back three weeks before or four weeks before or whatever is totally erroneous, totally untrue, totally unfounded."
On to soccer and Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been racking up the matches for Portsmouth in League One this season, a level that might that be the ideal one for an international goalkeeper but he is happy to get game time over sitting on the bench for parent club Manchester City for the time being. Such is the case for compatriot Caoimhín Kelleher at Liverpool and Bazunu says he would always prioritise playing matches and racking up experience.
In other news, Bubba Wallace last night became the first black driver to win a race at the Nascar Cup since 1963 while Nicolas Roche announced his retirement from professional cycling.
