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Darren O’Neill’s Olympic dreams dashed in Baku defeat

Captain four years ago, he will not compete in the upcoming games in Rio

Ireland’s Darren O’Neill won’t be competing in Rio this summer. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Ireland’s Darren O’Neill won’t be competing in Rio this summer. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Mon Jun 20 2016 - 15:26

Captain of the Irish boxing squad in London four years ago - Darren O'Neill failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics at the last time of asking in Baku on Monday.

The Kilkenny boxer was beaten by Wesley Aochi from Nigeria on a unanimous decision in the last 16 of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Baku - where middleweight Michael O'Reilly edged a step closer to securing a place at the upcoming games.

The number one seed beat Vitalia Dandarendka from Belarus by unanimous decision to advance to the last 16. He needs a top five to secure a slot in the 75kg weight division in Rio - so he needs to navigate his way into the semi-finals.

Both he and Ireland’s only other remaining boxer in the tournament, surper-heavyweight Dean Gardiner, are in action again on Tuesday. Gardiner faces Ukraine’s Viktor Vychryst in the quarter-finals.

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The ongoing tournament in Baku is the last opportunity for amateur-only boxers to qualify for Rio, but Mayo’s Ray Moylette is eligible to compete at a “professional” qualifier in Venezuela next month thanks to his experience in the WSB semi-pro competition.