Olympic Games final qualifier heartbreak for Kelyn Cassidy and Sean Mari

Kelyn Cassidy and Sean Mari's Paris 2024 hopes ended at the final Olympic boxing qualifying tournament in Bangkok today.

Waterford fighter Cassidy suffered a split-decision defeat to Spain's Gazi Jalidov in the last-16 of the men's 80kg (light heavyweight) category.

Cassidy lost 3-2 on the judges' cards against an opponent who reached the quarter-finals at Tokyo 2020.

Dubliner Mari came into his 50kg last-32 bout against Malaysia's Ariffin Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum carrying a hand injury from his previous win and was forced to retire after the second round.

"Trained with one hand all week and wanted to give it a go," said Team Ireland high-performance director Patricia Heberle on social media.

"No lack of courage in this team and so disappointing that tonight Sean Mari couldn't show his true self."

Valiant 51kg Sean Mari was forced to withdraw going in to the 3rd round of his 2nd Olympic Qualification bout V