Team Ireland's boxer Brendan Irvine bowed out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics flyweight decision with a points decision against the Philippines' Carlo Paalam.

Paalam was found the winner on a 4-1 split decision, with the cards returned 30-27, 29-28, 28-29, 30-27, 29-28.

Brendan Irvine on loss

"What can I do? That's boxing, this stuff happens every day," Irvine told RTE.

"The better man won on the day. I did think it was a close fight and I probably could have got a result, but that is just the way it goes.

"It's been a rollercoaster getting here, but I am proud to have left it all in the ring and given it my all. There is physically nothing I could have done more.

"Now it's time to pick myself up and support the rest of the team."

'My family are very proud'

"To be honest, two or three years ago I didn't think I would be standing here. I had an absolute nightmare two years with injury, just tried to get back to full fitness and health.

"Nobody expected me to qualify. I was bumping into people on the street and they were saying to me 'I thought you gave up boxing', they just didn't know the nightmare I had faced.

"I'm proud to be representing my country, but I'm devastated.

"My family are very, very proud of me. Well I hope so anyway!"

Indeed are proud to support Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Indeed believes the world works better when people are given every opportunity to unleash their true talents. #TalentUnleashed

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